Transcript I.AM.Me. Presented by:

I.AM.Me.
“I accept me for me!”
So why can’t you?
Presented by:
Break the Circle of Stigma
Is a peer-operated, mental health education organization,
dedicated to providing self-help and recovery-oriented
community programs.
Break the Circle of Stigma is funded in part by the NYS Office of Mental Health through the Erie County Department
of Mental Health, Spectrum Human Services and through grants, donations and fundraising efforts.
I.AM.Me. Is a collaborative community partnership program between Break the Circle of Stigma and Restoration Society Inc.
Contact Information: James Rohl – Director, 66 Englewood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14214.
Phone: 835-1919 ext. 21, Email: [email protected], Website: www.breakthecircleofstigma.org
Restoration Society Inc. 66 Englewood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14214.
Phone: 832-2141, Website: www.restoration-societyinc.org
Copyright 2008 Break the Circle of Stigma
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I.AM.Me.
“I accept me for me!”
So why can’t you?
A Partnership:
Break the Circle of Stigma partnered with many mental
health customers, staff, organizations and other community
members in developing this presentation.
I wish to personally thank everyone for their encouragement,
support and positive influence in making this presentation possible.
Jim Rohl
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I.AM.Me.
Purpose of Presentation…
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To increase understanding of stigma and related terminology.
To increase the awareness and understanding of the subjective
experiences of stigma
To positively impact societal beliefs that stigma does impede
recovery and quality of life.
To increase understanding of how stigma impedes recovery and
quality of life.
To inspire, motivate and implement positive social and system
reform.
To encourage customers, peers, service providers and other
community members to speak out against stigma,
discrimination, prejudices and other social injustices.
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I.AM.Me.
Expected Outcomes…
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Helps to encourage clinicians and other service providers to include
stigma as a verifiable goal in treatment and recovery options and
expected outcomes.
Helps to encourage and initiate change in public opinion by addressing
how stigma impedes recovery and quality of life.
Helps to encourage more individual’s with mental health diagnoses and
problems to seek treatment and help.
Helps organizations to create and establish new initiatives to support
customers, employees, students, etc., who have a mental health
diagnosis.
Helps to encourage the creation of new programs, community
initiatives and partnerships to address stigma and stigma related
concerns.
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I.AM.Me.
Terminology and Definitions…
STIGMA:
1.
2.
A social process that exists of elements of labeling, stereotyping, separation, status loss,
and discrimination that occurs in a power situation that allows them (Link & Phelan).
A social process or related personal experience characterized by exclusion, rejection,
blame or devaluation that results from experience or reasonable anticipation of an
adverse social judgment about a person or group. In health related stigma, this
judgment is based on an enduring feature of identity conferred by a health problem or
health related condition (Weiss and Ramakrishna).
INTERNALIZED STIGMA:
The devaluation, shame, secrecy, and withdrawal triggered by applying negative
stereotypes to oneself (Corrigan, 1998).
STEREOTYPE:
The belief that all members of a group possess the same characteristics or traits
exhibited by some members of that group.
DISCRIMINATION:
Unjustifiably different treatment given to different people or groups (Manser &
Thompson, eds., 1999 Combined Dictionary Thesaurus, Edburgh, Chambers). Any
measure entailing a distinction among persons depending on their confirmed or
suspected health status (Carael et. al., 2000).
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I.AM.Me.
Stigma Impedes Recovery by Eroding an Individual’s:
SOCIAL STATUS • SOCIAL NETWORK • SELF-ESTEEM
All of which contribute to poor outcomes, including:
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Unemployment
Isolation
Delayed Treatment-seeking
Treatment-refractory
symptoms
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Prolonged Course of
Treatment and Recovery
Avoidable Hospitalizations
Information based on: University of California, Postprints, “Internalized stigma of mental
illness: psychometric properties of a new measure 2003, Jennifer E. Boyd, University of
California San Francisco.
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I.AM.Me.
I am not a mental illness!
i am a father, a
mother, a brother
and a sister…
 i am a teacher, a
construction worker,
and a manager…
 i am an artist, a
writer, a poet and a
musician…
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i am a unique,
successful and
talented individual…
 i am Jim, Tasha, or
Mary… My name is
not bipolar or
schizophrenia or…
 i am your friend,
your neighbor… and,
i am your equal.

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I.AM.Me.
I have Mental Illness…
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Mental Illness includes such disorders as
schizophrenia, schizo-affective disorder,
bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder,
obsessive compulsive disorder, panic and
other severe anxiety disorders, autism and
pervasive developmental disorders, attention
deficit/hyperactivity disorder, borderline
personality disorder, and other severe and
persistent mental health disorders that affect
the brain, and subsequently the whole body.
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I.AM.Me.
I have Mental Illness…
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“These disorders can profoundly disrupt how
I think and feel, my moods and actions, and
my ability to relate to others and my capacity
for coping with the demands and challenges
of life.”
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Mental Health Disorders affect people of all
walks of life…including people of different
age, race, religion and income. Mental illness
is not the result of personal weakness, lack of
character, or poor upbringing.
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I.AM.Me.
I have Mental Illness, and…
“I ACCEPT IT!”
So…why can’t you?
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I.AM.Me.
Top 10 Myths About Mental Illness
Misconceptions about mental illness are pervasive, and the lack
of understanding can have serious consequences for millions of
people who have psychiatric illness (mental illness), according
to the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and
Depression (NARSAD). The largest not-for-profit organization
raising and distributing funds for psychiatric research, NARSAD
surveyed mental health professionals nationwide to determine
the most common myths about mental illness. NARSAD
received 102 responses from the experts, which included
members of NARSAD’s Scientific Council and Psychiatrists
around the country.
Source: PRNewswire, October, 2001
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I.AM.Me.
Top 10 Myths About Mental Illness
“Misconceptions about mental illness
contribute to the stigma, which leads
many people to be ashamed and
prevents them from seeking help,” said
Constance Lieber, NARSAD President.
“Dispelling these myths is a powerful
step toward eradicating the stigma and
allaying the fears surrounding brain
disorders.”
Source: PRNewswire, October, 2001
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I.AM.Me.
Top Ten Myths About Mental Illness
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Myth #1: Psychiatric disorders are not true medical illnesses like
heart disease and diabetes. People who have mental illness are just
“crazy.”
Fact: Brain disorders, like heart disease and diabetes, are
legitimate medical illnesses. Research shows there are genetic,
biological, environmental and developmental causes for psychiatric
disorders, and they can be treated effectively.
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Myth #2: People with a severe mental illness, such as
schizophrenia, are usually dangerous and violent.
Fact: Statistics show that the incidence of violence in people who
have a brain disorder is the same that it is in the general
population. Those suffering from a psychosis such as schizophrenia
are more often frightened, confused and despairing than violent.
Source: PRNewswire, October, 2001
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I.AM.Me.
Top Ten Myths About Mental Illness
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Myth #3: Mental illness is the result of bad parenting.
Fact: Most experts agree that a genetic susceptibility, combined
with other risk factors, leads to a psychiatric disorder. In other
words, mental health disorders may have a physical cause.
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Myth #4: Depression results from a personality weakness or
character flaw, and people who are depressed could just snap out
of it if they tried hard enough.
Fact: Depression has nothing to do with being lazy or weak. It
results from changes in brain chemistry or brain function, and
medication and/or psychotherapy often help people recover.
Source: PRNewswire, October, 2001
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I.AM.Me.
Top Ten Myths About Mental Illness
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Myth #5: Schizophrenia means split personality, and there is no
way to control it.
Fact: Schizophrenia is often confused with multiple personality
disorder (more commonly known as Dissociative Identity Disorder).
Actually, schizophrenia is a brain disorder that robs people of their
ability to think clearly and logically. The estimated 2.5 million
Americans with schizophrenia have symptoms ranging from social
withdrawal to hallucinations and delusions. Medication has helped
many of these individuals to lead fulfilling, productive lives.
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Myth #6: Depression is a normal part of the aging process.
Fact: It is not normal for older adults to be depressed. Signs of
depression in older people include a loss of interest in activities,
sleep disturbances and lethargy. Depression in the elderly is often
undiagnosed, and it is important for seniors and their family
members to recognize the problem and seek professional help.
Source: PRNewswire, October, 2001
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I.AM.Me.
Top Ten Myths About Mental Illness
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Myth #7: Depression and other illnesses, such as anxiety
disorders, do not affect children or adolescents. Any problems they
have are just a part of growing up.
Fact: Children and adolescents can develop severe mental
illnesses. In the United States, one in ten children and adolescents
has a mental disorder severe enough to cause impairment.
However, only about 20 percent of these children receive needed
treatment. Left untreated, these problems can get worse. Anyone
talking about suicide should be taken very seriously.
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Myth #8: If you have a mental illness, you can will it away. Being
treated for a psychiatric disorder means an individual has in some
way “failed” or is weak.
Fact: A serious mental illness cannot be willed away. Ignoring the
problem does not make it go away, either. It takes courage to seek
professional help.
Source: PRNewswire, October, 2001
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I.AM.Me.
Top Ten Myths About Mental Illness
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Myth #9: Addiction is a lifestyle choice and shows a lack of
willpower. People with a substance abuse problem are morally
weak or “bad”.
Fact: Addiction is a disease that generally results from changes in
brain chemistry. It has nothing to do with being a “bad” person.
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Myth #10: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), formerly known as
“shock treatment,” is painful and barbaric.
Fact: ECT has given a new lease of life to many people who suffer
from severe and debilitating depression. It is used when other
treatments such as psychotherapy or medication fail or cannot be
used. Patients who receive ECT are asleep and under anesthesia,
so they do not feel anything.
Break the Circle of Stigma and our partners do not necessarily endorse the use of ECT.
Source: PRNewswire, October, 2001
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I.AM.Me.
Some days…
i am so tired i can’t
get out of bed…
 i am so sad and i
cry for no reason…
 i am feeling so
lonely, trapped and
scared…
 i am hopeless and
feel like giving up…
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Artwork: Molly Rich
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I.AM.Me.
Some days…
i am tired of taking
 I need patience in
medications…
finding the right
meds to manage my
 i am tired of the side
symptoms.
effects…
 Many people need
 i am feeling ugly
meds for various
because i have
reasons, right?
gained so much
weight…
 I try hard not to let
the hurtful judgments
 i am afraid people
of others stop my
will find out, and
recovery!
then what…?
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I.AM.Me.
STOP! I am not mentally ill!
i am not mentally ill,
nor psycho, crazy,
insane, or…
 i am not lazy, dumb,
or retarded…
 i am not violent, nor
am i a criminal…
 i am not helpless…
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When you label me
or call me hurtful
names it only makes
me feel worse.
Do not assume to
know something
about me. Ask me!
Doing for me and
not with me teaches
me helplessness.
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I.AM.Me.
I have Mental Illness…
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Mental Illness is treatable. Most people with
serious mental illness may need medication to
help manage symptoms, but also rely on
supportive counseling, self-help groups,
intensive psychiatric rehabilitation, drop-in
centers, rehabilitation club houses and other
alternatives. Some people may require
assistance with housing, vocation, income
and other community services in order to
achieve their highest level of recovery and to
reclaim their lives so devastated by mental
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illness.
I.AM.Me.
STOP! Please listen to me…
Stigma is disrespect!
Stigma is bigotry!
Stigma is discrimination!
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I.AM.Me.
Stigma is…
Stigma is not just the use of the wrong
word or action, it is disrespect. Stigma is the
use of negative and categorizing language to
identify people with mental illness. Stigma is
a formidable barrier preventing individuals
and families from getting the help they so
desperately deserve and need due to the fear
of being discriminated against. Stigma,
unveiled, is a lack of compassion and love for
one another.
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I.AM.Me.
Stigma is…(con’t.)
The use of this language wrongfully
suggests and reinforces “social
selection” or grouping. To the
stigmatized person, this is a placement
of disgrace; for all social categorization
results in an “outcast of the norm” or
illness first ideology.
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I.AM.Me.
Stigma is continued…
Stigma can be choice: one’s personal and
negative choice to consciously mark an
individual as less than equal. Stigma is a
socially induced and predetermined
judgment: a mark of shame and disgrace,
leading to inequality, disdain and ostracism.
Stigma can also result from communication
and behaviors triggered by our unconscious
habits. Our choice to stigmatize often occurs
do to a combination of cultural perceptions
and triggers.
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I.AM.Me.
Stigma is continued…
Stigma is control: thinking it is better to
cast aside that which we fear or do not
understand, than to let it disrupt the
safe and ordered little world we need to
believe exists in order to feel in control.
TAKE A MINUTE TO REALLY
THINK ABOUT IT!
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I.AM.Me.
Stigma fact…
One in five Americans suffers from a
diagnosable mental illness in any given
year, yet only one-third actually receive
treatment. Why? The answer is…
STIGMA
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I.AM.Me.
More than just words…
Stigma is the absence
of love for our fellow
man.
 Stigma is disrespect.
 Stigma is a personal
choice to wrongfully
judge another.
 Stigma is the use of
negative labels to
identify a person with
mental illness.
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Stigma is the use of
hurtful words when
describing a person
with mental illness.
 Stigma is a social virus
that preys on the
socially unaccepted.
 Stigma is so strong that
it places “a wall of
silence” and fear around
the topic of mental
illness.
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I.AM.Me.
Stigma fact…
Many people would rather tell their
employers that they have committed a
crime and were in jail, than admit to
being in a psychiatric hospital. Why?
The answer is…
STIGMA
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I.AM.Me.
Stigma is a barrier that also…
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Prevents people from
being able to openly,
honestly and safely
discuss their issues
surrounding mental
illness.
Discourages families
and friends from
seeking help for the
individual due to the
fear of being rejected
by their neighbors and
social circle.
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Discourages many
people from remaining
in treatment.
Interferes with recovery
by helping to establish
and reinforce a belief
system based on the
stigmatized views of
society.
Discourages people
from actively pursuing
and achieving their
goals and dreams.
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Stigma is a barrier that also…
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Discourages social acceptance, inclusion
and equality – leading to fear, mistrust
and isolation.
Stigma is reinforced by the
self-perpetuating circle of misconception
and fear spread throughout society.
This action continuously reinforces
internalized stigma and is extremely
detrimental to all individuals in society.
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I.AM.Me.
Stigma results in…
Fear, mistrust and
violent behaviors
towards individuals with
mental illness.
 Reputed, repressed and
rejected points of view
directed about and
towards the character
of the individual.
 Inadequate health
insurance coverage.
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External rejection from
friends, family and
church, neighbors,
employers, co-workers,
caregivers, etc.
Discrimination and
violations of our basic
human rights.
Violations of the
“American with
Disabilities Act.”
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I.AM.Me.
Stigma results in…
Poor ethics, judgment,
treatment, and best
practices by health
providers.
 Damage to the overall
well-being of society.
 Loss of employment,
housing, education,
finances, social status,
religious affiliation, and
so much more…
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Loss of personal
identity, often leading to
confusion about one’s
role in family and
society.
Feelings of rejection,
loneliness, denial and
depression.
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I.AM.Me.
Important fact!
Four of the leading causes of disability worldwide are mental
disorders. Among developed nations, including the United
States, major depression is the leading cause of disability.
Also near the top of the rankings are bi-polar disorder (manicdepressive illness), schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive
disorder.
The direct cost of mental health services, which include
spending for treatment and rehabilitation, is approximately $69
billion in the United States. Indirect costs, which refer to lost
productivity at the workplace, school, and home, are estimated
at $78.6 billion.
Mental Illness is Real!
Source: PRNewswire, October, 2001
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I.AM.Me.
Major causes of Stigma…
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Lack of education and
awareness of mental illness.
Caused and reinforced by
the media and entertainment
industries. They
sensationalize mental illness
and often present individuals
with mental illness as
dangerous and violent.
Stereotypes – members of
society can form fixed
mental pictures due to fear
of the unknown, which are
then held in common to all
individuals.
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Some people choose to be
ignorant.
Lack of grace, faith, hope,
compassion, empathy and
love towards one another.
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I.AM.Me.
Major causes of Stigma…
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Uneasiness – stigma
emerges when people feel
awkward or uneasy when
talking about unusual
behaviors associated with
some individuals who have
mental illness.
Fixed and prejudiced
ideology transferred, or
inherited from one to
another.
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Sociological differences –
culture, race, ethnicity,
religion, politics, resulting in
categorization, segregation,
and discrimination.
Culture Shock – when people
are subjected or exposed to
an environment without
adequate preparation,
stigma can and usually
occurs.
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I.AM.Me.
So…are you still listening?
STIGMA IS A CHOICE!
MENTAL ILLNESS
IS NOT!
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I.AM.Me.
How can you choose to prevent stigma…
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Educate yourself: Education
helps to eliminate the fear
associated with mental illness,
paving the way for improved
understanding and acceptance
of all individuals diagnosed with
mental illness
Choosing to be better informed
about mental illness will help
you to resist and better evaluate
the inaccurate stereotypes so
common in today’s world.
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Obey the laws of the Americans
with Disability Act (ADA): The
ADA prohibits discrimination
against people with disabilities
in all areas of public life –
including housing, employment
and public transportation.
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Insist the media be
accountable: Speak out against
inaccurate and stereotyped
information. Write, call or email
individuals or organizations, and
let them know your concerns.
Provide them with accurate
information to use.
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I.AM.Me.
How can you choose to prevent stigma…
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Be compassionate and
respectful towards all people:
Do not make assumptions or
judgments based on
misinformation or lack of
knowledge. All people
regardless of their disability
deserve to be treated with
respect, compassion and love.

Never refer to people as “nuts,
insane, psycho, or crazy.”
These labels are dehumanizing
and hurtful to the individual.
Think about the person, not the
label. Use language that refers
to the person first, such as:
Juan has bipolar disorder, or
Sue has a mental illness. Never
use the term “the mentally ill.”
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I.AM.Me.
How can you choose to prevent stigma…
Recovering from a mental
disorder is extremely difficult!
Please don’t make it
harder!
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I.AM.Me.
Do you now understand?
Acceptance and support
leads to recovery!
Love the person,
hate the illness!
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I.AM.Me.
How can you choose to prevent stigma…
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Recognize and appreciate the
strengths of the person.
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Openly congratulate the person
on his/her accomplishments.
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By sharing and communicating
the successes and victories of
individuals with mental illness
with others, you are helping to
positively change their mental
image and attitude towards
others.
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Our focus changes from negative
or deficit based to positive and
strength based.
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Positive support helps individuals
to regain and strengthen selfesteem and confidence often lost
or weakened from their
experiences with mental illness.
Bob is working extremely hard at his recovery!
Terry returned to work after 5 years!
Tremaine went back to school!
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I.AM.Me.
Communicate with others!
When you communicate the acceptance,
support, strengths and success of
individuals with mental illness to
others…
You are helping to
Break the Circle of Stigma
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I.AM.Me.
How can you choose to prevent stigma…
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Recognize the contributions to
society by individuals with mental
illness.
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Individuals with mental illness
have and continue to make great
contributions to society.
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Appreciate the “Real Life Stars”
who have shown an enormous
amount of courage and strength
in overcoming their personal
hardships.
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Bob has reclaimed his role of
fatherhood.
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Marisol has overcome many
barriers to her recovery and
now is driven by passion and
purpose.

“People with Mental Illness
Enrich our Lives.” (NAMI,
http://www.nami.org)
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I.AM.Me.
People with Mental Illness Enrich our Lives.
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Abraham Lincoln – The revered sixteenth President of the
United States suffered from severe and incapacitating
depression that occasionally led to thoughts of suicide, as
documented in numerous biographies by Carl Sandburg.

Brooke Shields – Talks about her disabling post partum
depression in her book “Down Came the Rain: My Journey
Through Postpartum Depression.’

John Keats – The renowned poet’s mental illness is
documented in “The Dynamics of Creation” by Anthony Storr
and The Broken Brain: “The Biological Revolution in
Psychiatry” by Nancy Andreasen, M.D.
NAMI/People with Mental Illness Enrich Our Lives
http:.//www.nami.org)
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I.AM.Me.
People with Mental Illness Enrich our Lives.
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John Forbes Nash Jr. – Has a lifetime history of
schizophrenia but is now doing very well, as has been
documented in the book “A Beautiful Mind” and the academy
award-winning movie of the same name.

Ernest Hemingway – The Pulitzer-winning novelist’s
suicidal depression is examined in “The True Gen: An Intimate
Portrait of Ernest Hemingway by Those Who Knew Him” by
Denis Brian.
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Patty Duke – The Academy Award-winning actress told of
her bipolar disorder in her autobiography and made-for-TV
movie, “Call Me Anna” and A Brilliant Madness: “Living with
Manic-Depression Illness” co-authored by Gloria Hochman.
NAMI/People with Mental Illness Enrich Our Lives (http:.//www.nami.org)
Schizophrenia.com (http://www.schizophrenia.com/family/Famous.html.
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I.AM.Me.
People with Mental Illness Enrich our Lives.

Tremaine – Has a long-time history of anxiety and
depression, but is now doing much better. He is back in
school, learning new computer skills, feeling more
comfortable in social settings and exhibiting confidence and
leadership. Tremaine brings calm to the chaos
surrounding our lives. Thank you.

Rick – Has struggled long and hard to overcome many
obstacles in his life and recovery, and exhibits an inner
strength seldom seen in today’s world. His intellect, insight
and compassion for others leads his volunteer efforts.
Rick enriches the lives of those around him.
Thank you.
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I.AM.Me.
I have Mental Illness…and
I have a question for
YOU and for OTHER people who have it too.
Do You
Have the Hope and
Self-determination
to Recover?
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I.AM.Me.
Are you determined to recover?
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Do you accept the fact that your mental health disorder is
real?
Do you have knowledge about your mental health disorder?
Do you understand how your disorder is affecting your life;
your feelings, thoughts, behaviors and beliefs?
Do you understand how your disorder is affecting the
environment around you?
Do you take responsibility for your current mental state,
including your symptoms?
Do you use your disorder as an excuse for the problems and
challenges you face in your life?
Do you choose to follow the medical advice of your doctor
for treatment of your mental health disorder and/or other
physical problems?
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I.AM.Me.
Are you determined to recover?
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Do you actively participate in your treatment and recovery
plan/s?
Do you allow yourself to be dependent on the mental health
system and other “supports” for your well-being and to make
major life decisions for you?
Do you partner with your doctor with regard to prescribed
medication designed to help manage your symptoms?
Do you search out and find out how others cope with
symptoms or difficulties on a day-to-day basis?
Do you learn, apply and practice coping skills and recovery
strategies that you have chosen for yourself?
Do you try to be a role model for other people who have
mental illness and are working hard to recover?
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I.AM.Me.
Do you believe you can recover?
Do you believe that you have a right to a
satisfying, joyful and purposeful life?
Do you believe that you can and will fulfill your
desires, dreams and goals?
Do you believe that you can and will recover
from mental illness?
Do you believe that there are people who truly
want to see you succeed and are willing to
help?
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I.AM.Me.
“I think…thus I believe!”
Internalized stigma creates
a complex set of thoughts
and beliefs that negatively
impacts your recovery and
quality of life, examples of
these effects, are…
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Expectations
Actions
Reactions
Inhibitions
Avoidance
Loss of confidence
Social withdrawal
And a “Why Try”
attitude”
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I.AM.Me.
“I think…thus I believe!”
“Why should I even bother to try…”
This attitude usually develops within a person after
repeated experiences of rejection resulting in the
anticipation of failure.
“It seems like every time I try,
I experience hurt, distress,
embarrassment or humiliation.”
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I.AM.Me.
Internalized stigma can result in…

Avoidance
“If I started dating again she would eventually find out
about my mental illness and break up with me!”

Withdrawal
“I think they know something is wrong with me…they
gossip, avoid me, and don’t call or invite me out with
them anymore!

Reactions
“I have an intense embarrassment about my behaviors
after I come out of a state of depression, mixed state
or mania.”
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I.AM.Me.
Internalized stigma can result in…

Expectations
“They probably thought I was mad or would do
something like attack them.”

Loss of Confidence
“I feel there is no point in applying for jobs because
my applications would fail. People like me can’t
work.”

Actions
“When I was homeless, I think it was an advantage,
because when I was homeless that’s how I got my
new apartment and the most help.”
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I.AM.Me.
“Control leads to disempowerment!”
“Why should I even bother, I am just
too darned tired to try to fight it.”
This attitude usually develops within a person after repeated
experiences resulting from perceived or actual encounters of
concernment, distrust, loss of control, threats or force.



“I know that control is only formally taken away from me while
I am subject to compulsory legal powers, usually during
periods of involuntary admission to a psychiatric hospital.”
“But, even when admitted on a voluntary basis, I am not really
free to leave as I wish. Sometimes there is an implied or
actual threat that if you try to be discharged against the advice
of medical staff, you can be legally detained.”
“From a provider point of view it is a mixed message of
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blending care, concern, and force or threat.”
I.AM.Me.
“Where is the respect?”
“Why should I even try when I am looked
down upon?”
This attitude usually develops within a person after repeated
experiences resulting from perceived or actual encounters of
disregard, being viewed as irrational or otherwise disrespected.
“My views are often not taken seriously by staff and are often
disregarded if they do not coincide with mental health
professionals.”
“My opinions are not viewed as rational because I am usually
perceived as being irrational.”
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I.AM.Me.
“I feel so powerless!”
“Why should I even try when no one
wants to hear what I have to say?”
This attitude usually develops after repeated experiences
resulting from perceived or actual encounters of struggling to
be heard and to make independent and substantial life
changes.
“So long as users of mental health services are subject to
involuntary interventions in supposedly voluntary services, the
power differential between consumers and professionals will
remain real and continue to be an overwhelming obstacle to
any kind of real equality in decision-making.”
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I.AM.Me.
Powerlessness!
Power differentials often occur among mental health service
providers, staff and individuals who are diagnosed with mental
illness. They also occur elsewhere in the community:
individuals with perceived or actual authority intentionally or
unintentionally, abusing their power.
People with serious mental illness can have a very difficult time being
heard.
 Thinking and feeling as though they actually do not have the power to
make real and substantial change in their lives.
 Discriminatory actions whether actual or perceived: discrimination tends
to stick in the memory of service users and may override the benefits
that treatment, rehabilitation and recovery services offer.
 Reinforcing self or internalized stigma which interferes or prevents free
activity, expression and functioning.

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I.AM.Me.
Powerlessness can trigger…
Actual or perceived powerlessness can trigger spontaneous and
delayed mental, emotional, physical and spiritual reactions
that interfere with treatment, recovery and positive,
purposeful and lasting change.
Results in negative or poor communication
 Confusion and loss of focus
 Emotionally driven communication and physical
actions
 Increased symptoms
 Social and internal withdrawal (escapism, isolation)
 Fight or flight responses

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I.AM.Me.
Powerlessness can trigger…
Actual or perceived powerlessness can trigger spontaneous and
delayed mental, emotional, physical and spiritual reactions
that interfere with treatment, recovery and positive,
purposeful and lasting change.



Habitually driven or compulsive responses such as;
irrational thoughts, nail biting, fidgeting, smoking,
excessive eating/not eating, gambling, pornographic
viewing, drugs and alcohol.
Attention seeking communication and behaviors (innate
need to feel wanted, valued and desired
Loss of confidence, trust, hope, belief and faith in
oneself, others, treatment and other service providers.
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I.AM.Me.
I have Mental Illness…and
I have another question for
YOU and for OTHER people
who have mental illness.
Are You
Contributing to
Stigma?
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I.AM.Me.
How could you be contributing to stigma?

Do you label, categorize, stereotype or judge other people
with mental illness, yet expect people in society not to do
the same to you?
“I’m not like Bob, he is a schizophrenic and
drug addict – and by the way…I am working
hard to recover, Bob is not!”
Do you blame your mental illness for the negative behaviors
you choose to display to others?
“It’s not my fault that I get angry or yell at others, it is
just a part of my illness!”

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I.AM.Me.
How could you be contributing to stigma?

Do you deny that your mental illness is real and blame it on
poor upbringing, personal weakness or other factors?
“I am the direct result of bad parenting and if only my
parents would have done a better job I wouldn’t be
having these problems.”

Do you take responsibility for the symptoms associated with
your individual mental health disorder?
“This is just who I am – Bipolar!…you know,
“mentally ill.” I get kind of crazy sometimes and do
weird things, but that’s just me.”
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I.AM.Me.
How could you be contributing to stigma?
Do you understand your particular mental health disorder
and know how it affects your life?
“The doctor doesn’t tell me anything! I don’t even know
what my diagnosis is! How can I be expected to
know?”

Do you know what medications you are on and what they
are expected to help you with?
“I can’t remember what they are! Besides, I don’t even
think they are working! That’s why I don’t take them
all the time!”

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I.AM.Me.
How could you be contributing to stigma?

Are you working hard to recover and to reclaim your life so
that you can once again be a contributing member of
society?
“Look! I have a mental illness and will be on
medication for the rest of my life. How can I be
expected to go back to work? And, by the way I am
on SSI/SSD and public assistance…so I have nothing
to worry about!”

Do you believe that learning to manage your illness requires
hope, self-determination, dedication and time?
The only thing I need is the right medication!
Then I can get back to the way my life was.
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I.AM.Me.
Do I really affect people’s perceptions of me?
Is it possible that I can negatively influence
how other people perceive me? YES!
Is it possible that through my actions and
behaviors I leave myself vulnerable to
misunderstanding? YES!
Is it possible that through my actions I
contribute to the stigma that encircles people
with mental illness?
YES…YES…YES…YES…YES…YES…YES!
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I.AM.Me.
What is YOUR Intention?
CONNECTING WITH YOURSELF AND OTHERS
Learning to affect positive change within yourself and others is
a process of re-connecting with your natural or true self.
It is a process of letting go of ego and often of control, and
choosing a new path – a new intention, one driven by
discipline, wisdom, love and surrender. It is through this new
intention that we can successfully connect with others allowing
the natural process of change to occur and be sustained.
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I.AM.Me.
Breaking the circle of stigma that surrounds
people with mental illness is the….
RESPONSIBILITY OF
EVERYONE!







Recipients of mental health disorders
Mental health treatment and recovery programs
Friends and family members
Media
Government
The entire community
The entire world
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I.AM.Me.
Now do you understand?
Breaking the circle of stigma, just
like recovering from mental illness…
REQUIRES A TEAM EFFORT!
Let’s all get on the
same team!
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I.AM.Me.
We can all put things right!
“To put the world right in order,
We must first put the nation in order;
To put the nation in order,
We must first put the family in order;
To put the family in order,
We must first cultivate our personal life;
We must first set our hearts right.
Confucious
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I.AM.Me.
Thank You!
Break the Circle of Stigma and everyone who helped to put this
presentation together, would like to thank you for the
opportunity to share it with you. Special thanks to my friend
and editor Dana Murphy.
James Rohl
Phone: 716-835-1919 ext. 21
Email: [email protected]
For More Information on Stigma:
AD
Council – www.adcouncil.org
ADS
Center – www.stopstigma.samhsa.gov
Break
the Circle of Stigma – www.breakthecircleofstigma.org
Center
for Mental Health Services – www.mentalhealth.org/stigma
National
Alliance on Mental Illness – www.nami.org
National
Mental Health Awareness Campaign – www.nostigma.org
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