Part I: Introduction -- Part II: Stigma and discrimination - different perspectives -- History -- A psychiatry-specific phenomenon -- Types of stigma and mechanisms -- Stigma in different cultures -- Disorder-specific differences -- Who is affected? -- Who is contributing? -- Impact on provision and use of services for mental and physical disorders -- Influence on illness course -- Changes of stigma over time (with emphasis on the past 30 years) -- The viewpoint of consumers -- The viewpoint of families -- A human rights perspective -- Part III: "Fighting" stigma and discrimination - current practice and knowledge: Country perspectives: Europe -- Canada -- New Zealand -- Commentaries: What has proven effective -- What is not effective.-Part IV: Overcoming stigma and discrimination - new approaches: Fields of intervention -- Techniques -- Bottom up vs top down -- Illness models -- Treatment, prevention, rehabilitation -- Recovery -- Renaming -- Trialogue -- Empowerment, Inclusion -- Legal changes -- Part V: Contribution of international agencies: European Psychiatric Association -- Council of Europe -- WHO in Europe (European Mental Health Action Plan) -- WHO worldwide (Global Mental Health Action Plan) -- World Psychiatric Association -- Part VI: Conclusion and Recommendations.

This book makes a highly innovative contribution to overcoming the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness - still the heaviest burden both for those afflicted and those caring for them. The scene is set by the presentation of different fundamental perspectives on the problem of stigma and discrimination by researchers, consumers, families, and human rights experts. Current knowledge and practice used in reducing stigma are then described, with information on the programmes adopted across the world and their utility, feasibility, and effectiveness. The core of the volume comprises descriptions of new approaches and innovative programmes specifically designed to overcome stigma and discrimination. In the closing part of the book, the editors - all respected experts in the field - summarize some of the most important evidence- and experience-based recommendations for future action to successfully rewrite the long and burdensome 'story' of mental illness stigma and discrimination.