Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Corrigan, P. W. Articles by Hall, L. L. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Corrigan, P. W. Articles by Hall, L. L. Stigma, Discrimination Health Policy and Legislation Related Article

Structural Stigma in State Legislation

OBJECTIVE: This article discusses examples of structural stigma that results from state governments' enactment of laws that diminish the opportunities of people with mental illness. METHODS: To examine current trends in structural stigma, the authors identified and coded all relevant bills introduced in 2002 in the 50 states. Bills were categorized in terms of their effect on liberties, protection from discrimination, and privacy. The terms used to describe the targets of bills were examined: persons with "mental illness" or persons who are "incompetent" or "disabled" because of mental illness. RESULTS: About one-quarter of the state bills reviewed for this survey related to protection from discrimination. Within that category, half the bills reduced protections for the targeted individuals, such as restriction of firearms for people with current or past mental illness and reduced parental rights among persons with a history of mental illness. Half the bills seemed to expand protections, such as those that required mental health funding at the same levels provided for other medical conditions and those that disallowed use of mental health status in child custody cases. Legislation frequently confuses "incompetence" with "mental illness." CONCLUSIONS: Examples of structural stigma uncovered by surveys such as this one can inform advocates for persons with mental illness as to where an individual state stands in relation to the number of bills that affect persons with mental illness and whether these bills expand or contract the liberties of this stigmatized group.

Related Article:

May 2005: This Month's Highlights
Psychiatr Serv 2005 56: 517. [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D Roe and L Davidson Self and narrative in schizophrenia: time to author a new story Med. Humanit., December 1, 2005; 31(2): 89 - 94. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. W. Corrigan, A. C. Watson, G. Gracia, N. Slopen, K. Rasinski, and L. L. Hall Newspaper Stories as Measures of Structural Stigma Psychiatr Serv, May 1, 2005; 56(5): 551 - 556. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2005 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us