Dr. Patrick Corrigan is a Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the Illinois Institute of Technology and a leading expert on the topic of Stigma. Dr. Corrigan has written more than 400 peer-reviewed journal articles, is Editor Emeritus of the American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, and Editor of Stigma and Health, a new journal published by the American Psychological Association. Dr. Corrigan is the author of many books, including The Stigma Effect: Unintended Consequences of Mental Health Campaigns, The Stigma of Disease and Disability: Understanding Causes and Overcoming Injustices, and is part of the team that developed the Honest, Open, Proud series which aims to reduce the stigma of mental illness.

The lives of people with mental illness are worsened by stigma, thus leading to public prejudice, loss of self-worth, and negative implications for mental health and well-being. Stigma and discrimination can also worsen someone's mental health problems, and delay or impede their getting help which can impact their recovery. Social isolation, poor housing, unemployment and poverty are all linked to mental illness. Therefore, stigma and discrimination can exacerbate the cycle of mental illness.

The National Consortium on Stigma and Empowerment (NCSE) is a research group meant to promote recovery by understanding stigma and promoting empowerment.  The Consortium is located at the Illinois Institute of Technology with a collection of researchers at Yale University, the University of Pennsylvania, Rutgers University, Temple University, the University of Wisconsin, Illinois State University, and the University of Chicago.

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Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is not a substitute for getting help from a mental health professional.