Opening Doors: The Global Programme to Fight Stigma and Discrimination Because of Schizophrenia

Abstract

Prior to the 1990s, anti-stigma interventions did not receive much research attention. While there was considerable theoretical literature, dating back to the mid-1950s, little in the way of evidence-based anti-stigma practice had emerged (Sartorius and Stuart 2009). At a time when the majority of people with serious mental illnesses were segregated in large mental hospitals, and when social psychiatry was in its infancy, community-based stigmatization may not have seemed like a priority for researchers or funders. In addition, early failed efforts to reduce stigma (Cumming and Cumming 1957) may have inadvertently left a legacy of negativism. Comprehensive stigma-reduction strategies may have seemed beyond the abilities of many health professionals to undertake, or perhaps the social consequences of mental illnesses were outside of the field of vision of mental health providers and systems. The belief that developments in neurosciences would ultimately eliminate mental illnesses meant there would be little need to provide robust funding for the social determinants and consequences of mental illnesses. Indeed, it was not until the 1960s and 1970s that we had the first comprehensive international study to examine the cultural effects on the appearance and course of schizophrenia (Sartorius et al. 1972).