Prejudice and Mental Health

A decade into the 21st Century and the prejudice towards mental illness is decreasing, at least - that's what we'd hope:

"A joint study by Indiana University and Columbia University researchers found no change in prejudice and discrimination toward people with serious mental illness or substance abuse problems despite a greater embrace by the public of neurobiological explanations for these illnesses."

The "disease like any other" approach, supported by medicine and mental health advocates, had been seen as the primary way to reduce widespread stigma in the United States but 'Prejudice and discrimination in the U.S. aren't moving,' said IU sociologist Bernice Pescosolido.

But more alarmingly: "In fact, in some cases, it may be increasing. It's time to stand back and rethink our approach."

Stigma can produce discrimination in employment, housing, medical care and social relationships, and negatively impact the quality of life for these individuals, their families and friends.

Some key findings include:

2006: 67% of the public attributed major depression to neurobiological causes, compared with 54% in 1996.

Holding a belief in neurobiological causes for these disorders increased the likelihood of support for treatment but was generally unrelated to stigma. Where associated, the effect was to increase, not decrease, community rejection.

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This study amazed me. I'm not naive enough to think that all people had dropped their prejudices toward those with mental illnesses, but I find it incredible that this number may actually be increasing.

This is another case that shows how increased public knowledge of a topic does not necessarily mean increased public intelligence.

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