Books, Articles and Research

Mental illness is not the same as incompetence: Voting rights, archaic laws, & stigmatizing language
Editorial article written by a registered nurse who provides some insight regarding the voting rights of individuals with mental illness.

Law & psychiatry: Slowing the revolving door: Community reentry of offenders with mental illness.
An article discussing the existing programs that help offenders with mental illnesses reenter the community and the importance of effective collaborations between criminal justice agencies and behavioral health providers.

Psychological distress among Latino family caregivers of adults with schizophrenia: The roles of burden and stigma
This study examined the relation between caregivers' mental health and perceived burden and stigma and characteristics of the patient and caregiver within the Latino community.

Americans attitudes toward mental health treatment seeking: 1990-2003
This study examined recent trends in Americans' attitudes toward mental health treatment seeking and beliefs about the effectiveness of such treatment.

Family views of stigma
The views of 487 members of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) concerning stigma were surveyed in 20 different States. Almost all identified stigma as a problem for their mentally ill relatives and for families in general.

Perceived and measured stigma among workers with serious mental illness
This research analyzed the extent to which self-reports of job-related discrimination by persons with serious mental illnesses are associated with econometric measures of discrimination.

Power of art and music
An article discussing the work of the author in using art and music therapy as tools for promoting feelings of well-being in individuals with who have physical or psychological limitations.

The effect of healing gardens and art therapy on older adults with mild to moderate depression.
This study evaluated the effect of garden walks alone, garden walks with guided imagery, and art therapy on mild to moderate depression in older adults. Focus group interviews at the end of the 6-week intervention suggest that all 3 interventions were helpful to participants with mild to moderate depression.

Art, dance, and music therapy.
Art, dance, and music therapy are a significant part of complementary medicine in the twenty-first century. These creative arts therapies contribute to all areas of health care and are present in treatments for most psychological and physiological illnesses. Although the current body of solid research is small compared with that of more traditional medical specialties, the arts therapies are now validating their research through more controlled experimental and descriptive studies. The arts therapies also contribute significantly to the humanization and comfort of modern health care institutions by relieving stress, anxiety, and pain of patients and caregivers. Arts therapies will greatly expand their role in the health care practices of this country in the twenty-first century.

The role of music therapy in psychiatry
Music has soothed the souls of human beings for ages. It also has helped people recover from ailments since ancient times. Today, there is a widespread interest in the use of music therapy in treating psychiatric disorders. This article describes the various types of music therapy in use today and also offers insight into how music therapy can be incorporated into the management of psychiatric disorders and as an element of psychotherapy.

Therapeutic music for patients with psychiatric disorders
Many patients with psychiatric disorders struggle with poor skills in coping, communication, socialization, and self-expression that may result in dysfunctional behavioral, cognitive, and emotional responses. Therapeutic music offers a noninvasive approach to strengthen these skills and effect behavior change. At a regional inpatient psychiatric hospital in Colorado, a program of therapeutic music was developed using Rogers' theory of unitary human beings as the theoretical framework. This article describes the approach used to strengthen coping skills in communication, socialization, and self-expression. Suggestions are made for developing a program of music with similar patient populations.

How important is intrinsic spirituality in depression care? A comparison of white and African-American primary care patients
This study compares the views of African-American and white adult primary care patients regarding the importance of various aspects of depression care.

Pastors' perceptions of mental disorders
Letter to the editor in which a study is discussed where pastors were surveyed on their views of mental illness.

Mental health correlates of perceived discrimination among lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults in the United States
Recent studies suggest that lesbians and gay men are at higher risk for stress-sensitive psychiatric disorders than are heterosexual persons. This article examines the possible role of perceived discrimination in generating that risk.

Sexual orientation and mental health: results from a community survey of young and middle-aged adults
Study designed to assess separately the mental health of homosexual and bisexual groups compared with heterosexuals.

Gender specific correlates of stigma toward depression in a Canadian general population sample.
The objectives of this research were to identify gender specific demographic, clinical, knowledge and attitudinal factors associated with stigma related to depression.  

Age, gender, and the underutilization of mental health services: The influence of help-seeking attitudes
The objectives of this study were to explore age and gender differences in attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help, and to examine whether attitudes negatively influence intentions to seek help among older adults and men, whose mental health needs are underserved.

Reaching out to high school youth: The effectiveness of a video-based antistigma program
This study evaluted the impact on Canadian high school students of a video-based antistigma program portraying real life experiences of individuals with schizophrenia. It also includes lesson plans to guide classroom discussions and active learning.

Homicidal maniacs and narcissistic parasites: stigmatization of mentally ill persons in the movies
The portrayal of mentally ill persons in movies and television programs has an important and underestimated influence on public perceptions of their condition and care. The authors suggest that mental health professionals can fight this source of stigma by increasing their collaboration with patient advocacy groups in monitoring negative portrayals of mentally ill people,

Growing older: The lived experience of older persons with serious mental illness
The purpose of this qualitative paper is to describe, from the consumers perspective, the complex factors involved as persons with serious mental illness grow older in the community.

Mental healthcare for rural seniors. An outreach program in Cedar Rapids, IA, uses an integrated approach to break down barriers to care
Article discussing the Abbe Center for Community Mental Health in the Cedar Rapids, IA, and the work that the Center does in breaking down some of the barriers to mental health services for older adults in rural communities.

Beliefs about mental illness and willingness to seek help: A cross-sectional study
Evidence indicates that older adults underutilize mental health services, but little is known empirically about the perceptions older adults have about mental illnesses and their attitudes about seeking professional help for psychological problems. The present study examined beliefs about mental illnesses and willingness to seek professional help among younger and older persons.

Chapter 5 of "Mental health: A report of the Surgeon General": Older adults and mental health
This chapter of the Surgeon General's report on mental health addresses various areas of interest for the older adult population, specifically considering mental disorders in older people - their diagnosis and treatment, and the various risk factors that may complicate the course or outcome of treatment.

Rural and frontier mental and behavioral health care: Barriers, effective policy strategies, best practices
This report focuses on the following areas: barriers to mental and behavioral health service delivery in rural America, model programs and effective activities for rural America, model policy strategies for rural mental and behavioral health care delivery, the role telehealth should play in service delivery to rural America, and the role that State Offices of Rural Health and other State and local organizations should play in service delivery to rural America.

A survey of preferred terms for users of mental health services.
This survey was conducted to determine how users of mental health services would like to be addressed by professionals. Three hundred two persons participating in a variety of inpatient and outpatient psychiatric programs were surveyed.

What's in a Name? Terms preferred by service recipients
A large multi-site study examining effectiveness of consumer operated service programs as an adjunct to traditional mental health services. Researchers examined individuals' preferred term describing their status as service recipients.

Will filmed presentations of education and contact diminish mental illness stigma?
This study examines the impact of two versions of anti-stigma programs-education and contact-presented on videotape. 

Managing workplace depression: An untapped opportunity for occupational health professionals
An article discussing how occupational health professionals are the most qualified to design and deliver destigmatized, customer-friendly programs and services to help employees who are depressed. Integration of services like benefits, health promotion, EAP, and human resources across a company can lead to an effective, organization-wide depression initiative.

Disclosure conundrum: How people with psychiatric disabilities navigate employment
This qualitative study of people with psychiatric disabilities explored the issues of self-disclosing their mental illness and the complex situations around employment and disclosure.

Effects of an antistigma program on medical students' attitudes toward people with schizophrenia
The purpose of this study was to examine whether an antistigma program which consists of education, contact, and viewing a film that depicts an individual with schizophrenia, can change attitudes towards people with schizophrenia.

What is in a name? Professionals and service users' opinions of the Hebrew terms used to name psychiatric disorders and disability
Stigma constitutes the hidden burden of mental disorders. Its ubiquitous presence may be reinforced by iatrogenic factors, such as the terms used to name mental disorders and disability. This preliminary study examines opinions with regard to the use of these terms in Hebrew.

"It's important to be proud of the place you live in": Housing problems and preferences of psychiatric survivors.
This paper reports findings from a series of focus group meetings held with survivors of mental illness to address issues concerning housing preferences and housing needs.

The Carter Center Mental Health Program: Addressing the public health crisis in the field of mental health through policy change and stigma reduction.
This article examines the public health crisis in the field of mental health and focuses on The Carter Center Mental Health Program?s initiatives, which work to increase public knowledge of and decrease the stigma associated with mental illnesses.

Association between community and client characteristics and subjective measures of the quality of housing
The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between subjective perceptions of the quality of housing among mental health consumers and both client characteristics and objective measures of the client's neighborhood.

Stigma as a barrier to employment: Mental disability and the Americans with Disabilities Act
This study examines the role played by stigma in employers' response to the 1990 Americans with Disability Act (ADA). The article describes employers' experiences with employees with mental disabilities and accommodations, specific employment practices, and attitudes towards those with mental disabilities.

Forgotten policy: An examination of mental health in the U.S. [Brief]
This paper presents strategies and recommendations for improving the current mental health system so that it better addresses the mental health needs of Americans.

Appropriate language in discussing mental illness
A brief article discussing the use of appropriate language, when discussing mental illnesses. Following these suggestions can help to communicate acceptance and understanding.

Diminution of 'self'
This article is adapted from a speech the author gave at the Florida Self-Directed Care conference, in which he addressed how language affects the individual.

Stigma and mental disorder: Conceptions of illness, public attitudes, personal disclosure, and social policy
This article defines stigma and discusses empirical and narrative evidence for stigmatization, as well as historical trends regarding conceptualizations of mental illness.

Combat duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, mental health problems, and barriers to care
This study provides an initial look at the mental health of members of the Army and the Marine Corps who were involved in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our findings indicate that among the study groups there was a significant risk of mental health problems and that the subjects reported important barriers to receiving mental health services, particularly the perception of stigma among those most in need of such care.

Design and initial results from a supported education initiative: The Kansas Consumer as Provider program
This article describes the Consumer as Provider (CAP) Training program at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare, which creates opportunities for individuals with severe psychiatric disabilities to develop knowledge and skills to be effective as human service providers.

Is low self-esteem an inevitable consequence of stigma? An example from women with chronic mental health problems
It often is assumed that membership in a stigmatized group has negative consequences for the self-concept. However, this relationship is neither straightforward nor inevitable, and there is evidence suggesting that negative consequences may not necessarily occur (Psychol. Rev. 96(4) (1989) 608). This paper argues that the relationship has not been sufficiently theorized, and that a more detailed analysis is called for in order to understand the relationship between stigma and the self.

Religion and spirituality in the lives of people with serious mental illness
Although there is some literature that documents the relationship of religiousness and spirituality with health and well-being, far fewer studies have examined this phenomenon for people with serious mental illness. In this study, people with serious mental illness completed self-report measures of religiousness and spirituality.

Challenging stigma and discrimination in communities: A focus group study identifying UK mental health services users' main campaign priorities
This study was conducted to explore mental health service users' views on how campaigns to address stigma and discrimination should prioritise their actions

Employment of individuals with mental disabilities: Business response to the ADA's challenge
This research examines the response of the business community to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with specific focus on the employment of those with mental disabilities.

Perspectives of people with psychiatric disabilities on employment disclosure
A qualitative study, including a focus group and individual interviews, was conducted to gather data from people with psychiatric disabilities/labels regarding employment disclosure. Major findings include the significant impact of disability identity (does the participant think they have a disability?), and the importance of appropriate job matching as a disclosure strategy.

Structural stigma in state legislation
This article discusses examples of structural stigma that results from state governments' enactment of laws that diminish the opportunities of people with mental illness.

Spiritual psychotherapy a path around a stigma
An article discussing an increase in the involvement of ministries in addressing mental health with their congregations as a means of countering stigma.

Barriers to higher education for individuals with psychiatric disabilites
This qualitative study explored the college experiences of 35 people with psychiatric disabilities, in order to study barriers to higher education.

A family's painful journey
This article discusses the issues faced in Maryland in seeking assistance for children with severe mental illness. It focuses on State budget cuts for wraparound mental health coverage. 

At issue: Stop the stigma: Call mental illness a brain disease
Educating the public that mental illness is a brain disease is a popular strategy for combating mental illness stigma. Evidence suggests that while such an approach reduces blame for mental illness, it may unintentionally exacerbate other components of stigma, particularly the benevolence and dangerousness of stigmas. Researchers propose a balanced approach that combats the various myths about mental illness with factual information.

Stigmatization, discrimination, and mental health: The impact of multiple identity status
The authors present the empirical characteristics of the Experience of Discrimination Scale (EDS) using baseline data from the Center for Mental Health Services-funded, multisite Consumer Operated Services Project. Specific hypotheses focused on the influence of multiple identity status on reports of discrimination. Data indicated that discrimination caused by mental disability was associated with level of psychiatric symptoms and perceived social rejection as a result of mental illness, whereas discrimination for other reasons was associated with broader quality of life and social interaction indicators. The clinical and policy implications of findings are discussed. 

Position statement on employment and rehabilitation for persons with severe psychiatric disabilities
The position statement, developed by NASMHPD, encouraged the integration of employment and recovery goals with service delivery to individuals with mental illnesses. The NASMHPD concluded that State mental health agencies should work to develop tools for appropriate evaluation of plan success in moving covered individuals into employment or partial employment settings.

Protected space, where art comes calling
An article discussing the work of Dr. Janos Marton, a psychiatrist who has worked at creating a refuge where individuals with mental illness can go and create art as part of the therapeutic process. The article also includes notes on an interview with Dr. Marton.

Use of schizophrenia as a metaphor in U.S. newspapers
Research has identified misleading and stigmatizing popular beliefs about schizophrenia, but little is known about media images corresponding to these beliefs. Building on Susan Sontag's exploration of cancer in the 1978 book Illness as Metaphor, the authors hypothesize that "schizophrenia" is now more commonly misused.

Where postmodern art and schizophrenia intersect
An article discussing a past conference sponsored by the National Alliance of Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD). The centerpiece of the event was "Mind Matters," an exhibition of paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures by artists with brain diseases.

Spanish schizophrenic poet lauded
An article discussing the work and accomplishments of Spanish poet, Leopoldo Maria Panero, who also suffers from mental illness.

Faith communities care about mental illness
A brief article discussing a video teleconference, "Mental Illness: Paint a Different Picture," held November 10, 1998, sponsored by United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries Health and Relief, the Board of Church and Society, Pathways to Promise, and United Methodist Communications.

Consumer experience of stigma: A national survey
This article summarizes the results of a nationwide survey of 1,301 mental health consumers concerning their experience of stigma and discrimination.

Danforth residents cool to project group plans to build housing for people with mental illness
A brief article describing the life of an individual with mental illness and her struggles to find appropriate housing.

Stigma as a barrier to recovery: Adverse effects of perceived stigma on social adaptation of persons diagnosed With bipolar affective disorder
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of concerns about stigma on social adaptation among persons with a diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder.

Childhood revealed: Art expressing pain, discovery and hope
An overview of the book created by the New York University Child Study Center to help people overcome the stigmas attached to child psychiatric illness. The book contains over 100 pieces of art created by children from ages 4 through 18 who have a mental illness or have experienced a difficult life circumstance.

Separate and unequal: The struggle of tenants with mental illness to maintain housing
This article assesses the current state of the law and challenges poverty and disability advocates to marshal new resources and arguments in an effort to secure full tenancy rights for These consumers.

Strategies For success: A consumers' guide to the workplace
This guide was developed for the Access to Real Work project of the Canadian Mental Health Association - National office. It provides hints for new mental health consumer employees, and information on workplace accommodations.

People with psychiatric disabilities, employment, and the Americans with Disabilities Act: Turning policy into practice
This is a report of the proceedings of a two-day roundtable discussion on "People with Psychiatric Disabilities, Employment and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)" held in January 1995.

President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health
The Commission?s mission was to study the United States mental health service delivery system, including both private and public sector providers. The Commission advised the President on methods to improve the system. The Commission?s goal was to recommend improvements that will enable adults with a serious mental illness and children with a serious emotional disturbance to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities.

Importance of language in mental health
An opinion article discussing how incorrect language usage can be damaging towards individuals with mental illnesses.

O'Clair family, advocates kick-off Timothy's Law campaign
A press release discussing the campaign kick-off to enact legislation that would end the discrimination faced by thousands of individuals living with mental illness and chemical dependency throughout New York State.

Housing and mental health: Reducing housing difficulties for people with mental illness
This paper outlines key issues in housing provision for people with serious mental illness and suggests a policy framework. It draws on the limited research available on the housing needs of people with mental illness and on information available from the mental health sector. It is intended to generate discussion and better understanding of the issues in the mental health and housing sectors.

Cultural diversity series: Meeting the mental health needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons. Executive summary
This report provides basic information regarding common mental health concerns of GLBT persons to aid in the development of culturally competent mental health services and supports.

NIMBY and housing for the mentally ill
The third installment of an NPR series on finding homes for people who need support and services. The journalist visits a Pittsburgh, PA neighborhood that feels squeezed between its own needs -- and its duty to others.

Real shame
People with psychiatric disabilities often are shunned. Ensconced in a separate array of interventions that are isolating and insulating, people with psychiatric disabilities also can be discredited with a mental-health specific language. This essay asks the mental health leadership to help align psychiatric disability with other disabilities. The author suggests relational advocacy, advocacy that does not disparage people who experience mood swings, fear, voices and visions.

A new vision of recovery: People can fully recover from mental illness; it is not a life-long process
A brief article in which two views of recovery are discussed, rehabilitation and empowerment views of recovery.

Empowerment and serious mental illness: Treatment partnerships and community opportunities
Two targets of empowerment are discussed in this paper: treatment partnerships and community opportunities. Strategies that enhance treatment partnerships include provider endorsement of recovery rather than promoting an approach that suggests poor prognoses, treatment plans that are collaborative rather than unilateral decision making that is perceived as coercive, and treatment services provided in the person's community rather than geographically or psychological distant institutions.

Social distance from the stigmatized: A test of two theories
This paper tests the relative merits of the theories in explaining perceived social distance that individuals in the study expressed from a wide range of stigmatized conditions representing two general stigma types: the disabled and deviants. The research is based on a sample of professionals and managers in key decisionmaking positions.

Special section on stigma as a barrier to recovery: Introduction
The aim of this special section is to elucidate the adverse effects of stigmatization on the recovery of people with mental illness.

The paradox of self-stigma and mental illness
?Published narratives by persons with serious mental illness eloquently describe the harmful effects of stigma on self-esteem and self-efficacy. However, a more careful review of the research literature suggests a paradox; namely, personal reactions to the stigma of mental illness may result in significant loss in self-esteem for some, while others are energized by prejudice and express righteous anger.?

Family burden and family stigma in major mental illness
Article discusses the stresses and burdens on families of mentally ill individuals, including stigmatization, and problems in dealing with mental health professionals.

Psychiatric disabilities in postsecondary education: Universal design, accommodations and supported education
This article calls for increased awareness and academic support for students with psychiatric disabilities in postsecondary education. The limited literature in this area is reviewed and the authors correct misunderstandings about these types of disabilities and provide information to increase faculty, administrator, and staff awareness regarding the rights and needs of postsecondary students with psychiatric disabilities. 

Perception of stigma among patients with schizophrenia
This study investigated the relation of symptoms and other patient characteristics with perceived stigmatization in patients with schizophrenia.

Relationship between perceived stigma and depression severity
The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between perceived stigma and being in treatment for depression and current depression severity.

Implications of educating the public on mental illness, violence, and stigma
This study examined how two types of public education programs influenced how the public perceived persons with mental illness, their potential for violence, and the stigma of mental illness. 

Stigma and expressed emotion: A study of people with schizophrenia and their family members in China
This study was conducted to explore the factors that mediate patients' emotional and cognitive responses to stigma.

Stigma: the feelings and experiences of 46 people with mental illness: Qualitative study
This study was conducted in order to describe the relationship of stigma with mental illness, psychiatric diagnosis, treatment and its consequences of stigma for the individual.

Trauma victims find art the path to recovery
An article discussing how writing and the visual arts are powerful vehicles for communicating individual and collective experiences of trauma.