Mental Illness & Stigma

Stigmatization of Mental Health Issues

According to the Mayo Clinic, stigmatization of mental health issues can cause harmful effects, including: 

• Reluctance to seek help or treatment
• Lack of understanding by family, friends, or co-workers
• Fewer opportunities for work, school or social activities
• Trouble finding housing
• Bullying, violence or harassment
• Health insurance that does not adequately cover mental illness treatment

Stigma “almost always stem(s) from a lack of understanding rather than information based on facts,” according to the Mayo Clinic. 

Reference:
The Mayo Clinic Staff. (2019) Mental health: Overcoming the stigma of mental illness. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/in-depth/mental-health/art-20046477 February 11, 2019.

How Can I Cope With Stigma?

According to the Mayo Clinic,

• Get treatment
• Don’t let stigma create self-doubt or shame
• Don’t isolate yourself
• Don’t equate yourself with your illness 
• Join a support group
• Get help at school 
• Speak out against stigma

Reference:
The Mayo Clinic Staff. (2019) Mental health: Overcoming the stigma of mental illness. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/in-depth/mental-health/art-20046477 February 11, 2019.

https://youtu.be/49mfPFTZsHs

Information Resources

Books
Articles
Web Resources
Legal Resources
Collections
Podcasts
Books

Books

This is a small selection of ebooks available through the Clarkson Libraries. Click image to access. Search the library catalog or ask a librarian for help if you want to find others (either ebooks or print). 

Articles

Articles

• 9 Ways To Fight Mental Health Stigma – NAMI 

• Countering the stigmatisation and discrimination of people with mental health problems in Europe 

• Supporting Community Inclusion & Non-Discrimination – NAMI 

• The Prevalence of Mental Disorders among the Homeless in Western Countries: Systematic Review and Meta-Regression Analysis 

• The Stigma of Mental Illness Is Making Us Sicker 

• Study Shows Mentally Ill More Likely to Be Victims, Not Perpetrators, of Violence – North Carolina State 

• Understanding the impact of stigma on people with mental illness 

Web Resources

Web Resources

• Department of Labor 

• Succeeding At Work – NAMI 

• US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Legal Resources

Mental Health Law

• Mental Hygiene Legal Services 

• New York Consolidated Laws, Mental Hygiene Law 

• New York Office of Mental Health 

• NY Mental Hygiene Law 

Discrimination Law

• 29 U.S. Code Chapter 8 – FAIR LABOR STANDARDS 

• 29 U.S. Code Chapter 28 – FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE 

• 29 U.S. Code Subchapter V – RIGHTS AND ADVOCACY 

• 42 U.S. Code Chapter 21F – PROHIBITING EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF GENETIC INFORMATION 

• 42 U.S. Code Chapter 126 – EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES 

• 42 U.S. Code Subchapter VI – EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES 

• NY State Paid Family Leave 

Collections

Collections

• Gale Opposing Viewpoints – Bullying
• Gale Opposing Viewpoints – Cyberbullying
• Gale Opposing Viewpoints – Eating Disorders
• Gale Opposing Viewpoints – Mental Disorders
• Gale Opposing Viewpoints – Mental Health
• Gale Opposing Viewpoints – Service & Emotional Support Animals
• Gale Opposing Viewpoints – Suicide 

Podcasts

Podcasts

• Mental Illness Happy Hour
• The Hilarious World of Depression
• The Happiness Lab
• WTF with Marc Maron
• The Dark Place
• The Struggle Bus

See More

• Expanding Worldview
• LGBTQ+ & Sexual Orientation Discrimination
• Medical Discrimination & Stigma
  • Disease & Stigma
  • Disability Rights