Abstract Body

Stigma toward mental illness is considered a major public health problem, being a significant obstacle for the access to care by people with psychiatric disorders, not only the severe ones but also those improperly called “minor” disorders, as recent research demonstrates. Moreover, stigma per se causes further sufference, undermining the quality of life of those who suffer from mental disorders due to discrimination, social isolation and lack of opportunities. Thus, combating stigma is one of the main goal of mental health policies worldwide. After the 1978 Reform Act, substantial ideological and practical changes were introduced in Italy, such as, among others, the abandonement of custodial care and of the dangerousness criterion for involuntary treatments, along with the development of a nationwide system in mental health care. Notwithstanding there relevant changes and more than forty years of experience in community treatment of mental disorders and the widespread implementation of interventions oriented to social inclusion, no data about significant changes in public stigma toward mentally ill people could be registered in our country. Moreover, a quite limited number of specific anti-stigma programmes and campaigns at a national or local level were developed with a correspondently paucity of research regarding the evaluation of these interventions with specific reference to their quality and effectiveness

Abstract Body

Stigma attached to mental disorders represent one of the main obstacles to patients’ full recovery and empowerment. In the last decades, many anti-stigma programmes have been implemented worldwide, but stigma still represents a major obstacle for people with severe mental disorders, their family members, friends and also healthcare professionals. Stigma is a complex social phenomenon, which entails a lack of knowledge, discriminating attitudes and excluding behaviours in the general population, which deserves a multi-level approach. In particular, anti-stigma strategies combining the three most common approaches, including contact, education, and organization of protest activity, are the most effective. Interventions should contain age-appropriate information and should be provided at an early age (e.g., in schools).

Interdisciplinary approaches are recommended. In particular, contact strategies are important to reduce prejudice and change attitudes towards people with mental disorders and may be implemented either by video (interviews/personal testimonies), but ideally in person with affected individuals, reporting their real life experiences. In this workshop, the role of advocacy associations together with all stakeholders of mental health will be discussed in the process of fighting stigma according to a psychosocial perspective.