Easing the stigma of mental illness and substance abuse disorders needs a national effort that will involve health agencies, as well as the criminal justice system, employers, schools and media, according to a reportopens in new window from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NAS) released in April.
The stigma of mental illness "is in the same category as racism and sexism," says Patrick W. Corrigan, PsyD, distinguished professor of psychology at the Illinois Institute of Technology, a co-author. "It permeates all of society and affects people at all levels."
Over the past two decades, people have learned more about mental illness and most believe treatment is effective. However, the public is now more likely to believe that people with mental illness are dangerous and unpredictable. Further, stigma associated with substance abuse disorders is high, with people tending to blame those who are ill for their habits.
Because of those prejudices and misunderstandings, many people are afraid to go public with their illness or seek help. Of the 28 million people who needed treatment for drug or alcohol problems in 2013, fewer than 1 in 10 got help, the report says. Untreated disorders led to an estimated $417 billion in annual costs related to lost productivity, crime and health care.
"Not only did I have no esteem whatsoever, [stigma] left me isolated and vulnerable to attack and ridicule," says report co-author Clarence Jordan, vice president of Wellness and Recovery for Beacon Health Options who is in long-term recovery for behavioral health challenges. "If I had come into contact with people and agencies who saw [a mental health problem] for what it is, I would have been inclined to get and stay in help earlier."
The NAS report recommends that:
- The Department of Health and Human Services take the lead on the stigma reduction initiative. Although several government agencies have anti-stigma programs, each has limited resources and its own ideas about best practices.
- Research should explore how to design and test communications programs and large-scale surveys tracking people's beliefs.
- Leaders should gather input on initiatives from people who have experienced mental illness.
- Efforts should include grassroots work since research shows personal contact is more effective than education alone.
- Efforts should also include peer support services since evidence suggests that people who use them are also more likely to access other kinds of mental health care.
To read the report, go to www.nap.edu/catalog/23442/ending-discrimination-against-people-with-mental-and-substance-use-disordersopens in new window.
— Stacy Lu
