STIGMA means a social disgrace. Stigma surrounds a person with a mental illness and probably the addictions to alcohol, food, and drugs that are often related to the illnesses. This social stigmatization means that a person is feared, dreaded, and perhaps hated because he or she is viewed as "crazy" or "insane."
It also is related to criminalization of the illnesses. Because people fear the stigma of mental illness, rather than seek assistance or help, he or she may resort to taking actions that in the end turn out to be illegal. An example would be a person who is delusional but untreated storming into a store and yelling at the workers.
My theory is that we as a nation and then as the world can eliminate social disgrace or stigma surrounding the illness. This is done by speaking out and sharing what it is really like to have a specific illness. It also means letting others know we are taking responsibility to become healthier. We advocate that we still have meaning in this world.
One way you can join in this effort is by going to Facebook and liking the following page:
https://www.facebook.com/destigmatize
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