The Mark of Shame: Stigma of Mental Illness and an Agenda for Change

Stigmatization of mental disorder erodes personal well-being, family relations, economic productivity, and public health. Because stigma promotes shame and silence, mental illness is seldom discussed openly, despite recent shifts in cultural practices. The Mark of Shame provides a thorough and compelling analysis of the many issues related to the stigmatisation of mental illness and to the kinds of solutions for this complex and longstanding problem that show the most promise of succeeding. In The Mark of Shame, Stephen P. Hinshaw addresses the psychological, social, historical, and evolutionary roots of the stigma of mental illness as well as the long history of such stigmatisation. After appraising empirical evidence and indicators from the general culture (e.g. language usage, media portrayals, discriminatory practices), and after considering developmental issues plus parallels with other social problems, they provide an agenda for humanising the ways in which mental illness is viewed, so that families, communities, and society at large can overcome exclusionary tendencies and individuals with mental illness can cope more effectively.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments Introduction 1: What is Mental Disorder and What is Stigma? 2: Perspectives from Social Psychology, Sociology, and Evolutionary Psychology 3: Historical Perspectives on Mental Illness and Stigma 4: Modern Conceptions of Mental Disorder 5: Evidence from Scientific Investigations 6: Indicators of Stigma from Everyday Life 7: Stigma of Mental Illness: An Integration 8: 9: Overcoming Stigma I: Legislation, Policy, and Community Efforts 10: Overcoming Stigma II: Media and Mental Health Professionals 11: Overcoming Stigma III: Families and Individuals 12: Concluding Issues

About the Author :
Stephen P. Hinshaw is Professor and Chair, Department of Psychology, University of California-Berkeley.

Review :
"Everyone needs to understand the pervasiveness of stigma, its effects and how it may be countered. This splendid book provides much the best discussion of the issues--being empirically solid but also personally compassionate, as well as realistic in its expectations. It is also a very good read." --Professor Sir Michael Rutter, Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry "Particularly thought-provoking is the chapter related to media portrayals of individuals with psychiatric disorders, including examples of powerful interventions by groups attempting to illustrate the prejudice many hold against the mentally ill, as well as suggestions for marketing strategies to eliminate the bias against the population. The book further illustrates the sad and troubling fact that those with mental illness remain second-class citizens despite their ever-growing numbers in the general population."--Doody's "The content of this book is broad, deep, and fascinating...Hinshaw's skills as a writer cannot be overstated. He uses a mixture of technical and lay language to paint a picture of stigma across the ages that is thoroughly enjoyable to read despite its often distressing content. In addition to being a professor of psychology, Hinshaw comes across as a passionate historian and humanitarian."--Claire M. Kelly, Ph.D., in New England Journal of Medicine