Information Center Bulletin
Volume 1, No. 2 Winter 1997-98

Stamping Out Stigma - Many Organizations Pave the Way

As consumers/survivors, we know how demeaning and painful it feels to hear someone reduce us to a mere psychiatric label-a paranoid schizophrenic, an OCD, a manic-depressive. It's as though there's nothing more to us than the symptoms of a mental disorder, as though recovery is not possible. Such comments negate the fact that the vast majority of us hold meaningful jobs, live compatibly with our neighbors, and share the joys of raising a family. And many consumers/survivors are among the most gifted artists, musicians, researchers, and writers.

Such labels, and the stigma they fuel, discourage many people from getting help for their problems. Stigma results in prejudice, discrimination, and inequities in insurance coverage. And stigma leads to fear, mistrust, and even violence.

The Information Center has a new brochure to help counter stigma. It's called Before You Label People, Look at Their Contents. This brochure was created with valuable input from consumers/survivors-from conception to completion. I encourage you to get a copy, either by calling the Information Center's toll-free number, 1-800-789-CMHS (2647) or by downloading it from the World Wide Web site at mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/.

I also urge you to get involved by contacting any number of National, state, and local groups that have begun projects and campaigns to help stamp out stigma. The Information Center 's anti-stigma brochure lists several such programs. Here are a few additional groups not mentioned in Before You Label People, Look at Their Contents:

• The Anti-Stigma Project" of On Our Own of Maryland, Inc. targets stigma within the mental health community. Its workshops help break down traditional barriers between consumers, family members, providers, and administrators. For more information, call 1-800-704-0262.
• The National Stigma Clearinghouse in New York City, receives and circulates examples of stigma among a network of "stigma busters." This volunteer network includes people diagnosed with psychiatric conditions, their families, researchers, mental health professionals, educators, legislators and members of the media. Their goal is to change public attitudes by tracking, and, if necessary, protesting stigmatizing images of mental illness in entertainment, news reporting, and advertising. For more information, call 212-255-4411.
• The Rotary Club's ETS Project (Erasing the Stigma of Mental Illness Through Education) focuses on public education and early intervention as part of its mission to offer employment opportunities to people with mental illness who are returning to the work force. The long-range goal is to supply at least three employment opportunities to each local club, and eventually expand the program to its international clubs. For more information, call 1-800-219-4854.
• The Stamp Out Stigma Program (SOS), in Belmont, California, has been speaking to groups since October 1990. All SOS panelists are consumers and volunteers. The group operates on grants from community foundations, fees, and donations. The speakers' bureau has made over 400 presentations. For more information, contact Carmen Lee, 415-592-2345, 1572 Winding Way, Suite A, Belmont, CA 94002.

Paolo del Vecchio,
Consumer Affairs Specialist,
CMHS, 301-443-2792

Information Center Bulletin
Volume 1, No. 2