Paradigms Lost, Paradigms Found: Lessons Learned in the Fight Against the Stigma of Mental Illness

In 2012, Paradigms Lost critically examined the key paradigms used in programs aiming to prevent or reduce the stigma attached to mental illness. Today, many programs addressing stigma have been successfully developed or improved using the notions and recommendations presented in that volume. Paradigms Lost, Paradigms Found builds on the lessons of the first edition and adds new approaches to reducing the stigma related to mental illness. It brings together the latest theory and experience in the field to provide effective recommendations for addressing stigma in its various forms. This second edition also presents targeted programs used by different social groups and explores future directions in stigma prevention, including evolving techniques for the digital age. Integrating experience with modern technology, Paradigms Lost, Paradigms Found provides evidence and inspiration for mental health advocates seeking to prevent or reduce stigma of mental illness and protect the rights of people with mental and substance use disorders.

Table of Contents:
Preface Chapter 1: Mental Illness-Related Stigma Chapter 2: Cultures Count: They Stigmatize and Destigmatize Mental Illnesses Chapter 3: Paradigms Found in Fighting Stigma Chapter 4: Eleven Steps to Build an Anti-Stigma Program Chapter 5: Fighting the Good Fight Chapter 6: Media Chapter 7: Health Systems Chapter 8: Educational Systems Chapter 9: Employment Inequity and Workplace Stigma Chapter 10: Using Technology to Fight Stigma Chapter 11: Research Chapter 12: Stigma and Substance Abuse Chapter 13: Summary and Reflections Appendix: Stigma Section Bibliography

About the Author :
Heather Stuart, PhD, FRSC, CM, is Professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences at Queen's University, where she also holds the Bell Canada Mental Health and Anti-Stigma Research Chair. Professor Stuart is the Senior Consultant to the Mental Health Commission of Canada's anti-stigma initiative, the Secretary of the World Psychiatric Association's Stigma and Mental Disorders Scientific Section, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and a recipient of the Order of Canada. Professor Stuart has published close to 150 peer reviewed papers and authored or edited more than 50 book chapters and several books. Norman Sartorius, MD, MA, PhD, FRCPsych, is President of the Association for the Improvement of Mental Health Programs. He is also former Director of the Mental Health Program of the World Health Organization, former President of the World Psychiatric Association, and former President of the European Psychiatric Association. Professor Sartorius has published more than 500 papers in peer reviewed journals and authored or edited more than 120 books.

Review :
Paradigms Lost: Fighting Stigma and the Lessons Learned illustrates the long standing stigma attached to mental illness and its continued prominence today. Although the problem of stigma appears daunting, the authors offer an innovative approach to help combat social exclusion. Their proposed new paradigm constructs an optimistic and practical way to break down the social barriers to recovery. Despite valiant efforts to tear down the stigma of mental illness, it stubbornly remains a hurtful force. That's why a careful look at assumptions of change is needed to go forward. Paradigms Lost does this critically. Stuart, Arboleda-Florez, and Sartorius provide a masterful tour-de-force of the scholarly literature to carefully unpack what we know about stigma so we can move ahead to eliminate its egregious impact. But their book does not end with a review of the science. They then provide a practical, hands-on guide to setting up anti-stigma programs meant to reflect the wisdom of their reviewed paradigms. This extraordinary book by international experts stands on its head the accepted wisdom about fighting the stigma of mental illness. This is the most important book yet published on what we must do to reduce the insidious and powerful force that can paralyze attempts to improve recovery from psychiatric disorder. There are many more similarities than differences among people around the world. Paradigms Lost, a book about lessons learned by authors Stuart, Arboleda-Florez and Sartorius on fighting the stigma of mental illness, is proof of this. With a unique 2 part format that addresses stigma but also personal clinical and field experiences, this book is a historical compendium with a passionate call to action. To help readers move ahead quickly, tip sheets and assessments are included. The boldness of the statements in this book are refreshing and should help fight stigma around the world to improve the lives of people living with mental illness. Hats off to the publishers for recognizing the importance of this work. Paradigms Lost: Fighting Stigma and the Lessons Learned is simply excellent. The chapters are clearly written and well organized and the material is relevant to the aim of the book, i.e., to inform those wishing to undertake anti stigma programmes. I am sure that it will be a vitally important contribution to the field. We are all opposed to the stigma of mental illness, but that is not enough. We needed this book to remind us of what we previously misunderstood, and to reinforce what we now know.