Wednesday, January 12, 2005

Family members of people with mental illness harmed by stigma   Item in CMHA-Ontario's Mental Health Notes - "Parents, spouses, siblings and children of people with mental illness all experience stigma, based on stereotypes that place blame on them for some form of failure associated with their ill relative, according to an article in the Journal of Mental Health. As a result, family members frequently suffer from social avoidance, including loss of friendships, and other harmful effects. The report is based on a review of literature about the impact of stigma on family members of people with mental illness. The authors describe the complexity of the phenomenon, and compare the public stigma toward parents, spouses, siblings and children of people with mental illness, highlighting the stereotypes each group commonly experiences."  
  

Initiatives on mental health win plaudits (New Jersey)   Courier-Post story - "Acting Gov. Richard J. Codey used his State of the State address to continue his focus on mental health, calling for a $200 million plan to build housing for the mentally ill and disabled and easing student loans for social workers. He also proposed a campaign to help mothers who suffer depression after giving birth. ...  Codey's housing plan would create 10,000 affordable housing units for the mentally ill and disabled over the next 10 years, he said. He also proposed relieving up to $20,000 in student loans for college graduates who take jobs in mental health or social service facilities that work with the state, counties or state contractors. Advocates for the mentally ill and disabled praised both proposals, which come from recommendations of the Mental Health Task Force Codey created in November. "