Stigma of Mental Illness

In 2007, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) surveyed adults in 37 states and territories about their attitudes toward mental illness, using the 2007 BRFSS Mental Illness and Stigma module. Based on 2007 BRFSS data,

• Most adults with mental health symptoms (78%) and without mental health symptoms (89%) agreed that treatment can help persons with mental illness lead normal lives.
• 57% of all adults believed that people are caring and sympathetic to persons with mental illness.
• Only 25% of adults with mental health symptoms believed that people are caring and sympathetic to persons with mental illness.

These findings highlight both the need to educate the public about how to support persons with mental illness and the need to reduce barriers for those seeking or receiving treatment for mental illness.

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5920a3.htm