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Article: Mental illness stigma: problem of public health or social justice?(Column)
- Article from:
- Social Work
- Article date:
- October 1, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 National Association of Social Workers. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The U.S. Surgeon General's report on mental health,(1999) and the report of President Bush s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health (2003) highlighted the public health impact of mental illness stigma. Using a medical model, several education programs have sought to diminish stigma's effect on public health by describing mental illness as a disease of the brain that can be treated successfully. This approach has been shown to be useful for reducing blame related to mental illness. Unfortunately, such public health messages may also exacerbate stigma by reinforcing notions of individual difference and defect. Alternatively, framing mental illness stigma as a social justice ...