Telling is Risky Business
Telling is Risky Business
Mental Health Consumers Confront Stigma
Individuals with a mental illnesses—such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression—have a double burden, Otto Wahl writes. Not only must they cope with disabling disorders, but they also must contend with the negative attitudes of the public toward those disorders. To truly understand the full extent of this stigma, we need to hear from the consumers (the term used in this book for people with mental illness) themselves. Telling is Risky Business is the first book to examine what these people have to say about their own experiences of stigma.
The center of Wahl’s research was a nationwide survey in which mental health consumers across the United States were asked, both through questionnaires and interviews, to tell about their experiences of stigma and discrimination. The research comes to life as many of the over 1,300 respondents’ acute observations are reported directly, in their own words.
Telling is Risky Business vividly covers topics such as isolation, rejection, discouragement, and discrimination. Consumers also offer perceptive observations of how our society depicts people with mental illness. The book ends with suggestions for strategies and coping; an invaluable section on resources available for fighting stigma guarantees its place on many bookshelves. As Laura Lee Hall writes, “This book will likely open your eyes to a topic that you probably did not understand.”
The book is divided into chapters covering: the effects of psychiatric disability, as perceived by consumers, not in clinical terms, but in terms of discrimination experienced as a result of a disclosed psychiatric diagnosis. It begins with one personÆs story, which is an effective touch. . . . [This book] is all quite easy to read. . . . The writing is forceful when it needs to be, and usually lets its facts speak for themselves without too much over explaining. A welcome addition to the armoury (especially if you know any service-providers who are seeking some guidance.).
Wahl . . . changes the focus from the individual to the wider society and the many ways in which the interactions between the individual and society increase the difficulty of living successfully despite a diagnosis. He identifies stigma and discrimination as significant problems faced by this population. His key informants are diagnosed people themselves. . . . Despite his detailing of the widespread stigma consumers face, ultimately WahlÆs message in this book is one of hope and possibilities.
While there has been some research done on the effects and presence of stigma and discrimination in the lives of those diagnosed with mental illnesses, there is a dearth of literature that engages consumers themselves in speaking about their experience of discrimination. In this book, Wahl explains the research done. It used a combination of interviews and questionnaires. . . . [WahlÆs book] is quite easy to read. . . . The writing is forceful when it needs to be, and usually lets its facts speak for themselves without too much over explaining. A welcome addition.
Dr. WahlÆs book gives those who suffer from mental illnesses an eloquent voice. Through their own words, consumers allow us a glimpse of life as they know it, struggling to overcome devastating diseases while withstanding the misconceptions, isolation, and discriminationùthe stigmaùthat society imposes upon them.
These revelations by psychiatric survivors should shatter stereotypes forever. Otto WahlÆs book is must-reading for policy makers, media professionals, and all informed Americans.
Mental illness stigma
Reaching consumers
Isolation and rejection
Discouragement and lowered goals
Discrimination
Indirect stigma
Impact of stigma
Strategies and coping
Consumer messages about mental illness
Cautions and limitations
Resources for fighting stigma
