Purpose: The aim of this work was to develop a campaign to promote an environment of solidarity and support on college campuses for students with mental illnesses. Method: Data were gathered from 24 members of a Chicago university campus who were selected as representatives of key campus stakeholder groups including students, administrative staff,…

Self-stigma can undermine self-esteem and self-efficacy of people with serious mental illness. Coming out may be one way of handling self-stigma and it was expected that coming out would mediate the effects of self-stigma on quality of life. This study compares coming out to other approaches of controlling self-stigma. Eighty-five people with…

Stigma can greatly exacerbate the experience of mental illness. Diagnostic classification frequently used by clinical social workers may intensify this stigma by enhancing the public's sense of "groupness" and "differentness" when perceiving people with mental illness. The homogeneity assumed by stereotypes may lead mental health professionals and…

Social psychological research on ethnic-minority and other group stereotypes should be considered when implementing strategies to diminish the impact of stigma on persons with severe mental illness. Research confirms the strength and persistence of stereotypes. Suggests directions for future research. (SLD)

The medical model has promoted a train-place model for psychiatric rehabilitation. This model carefully trains people with psychiatric disabilities on a range of skills so they can handle real-world demands before placing them in work and independent living situations. More consistent with a social work perspective are place-train programs, which…

Analyzes the outcomes of a psychoeducational treatment program for persons (N=18) with chronic mental illness vis-a-vis four behavior outcomes: acquisition, performance, generalization, and cognition. Results indicated that participants who completed treatment improved their acquisition and performance of target behaviors as well as cognitive…

Analysis of survey data from clinicians and administrators at a large state hospital/developmental center revealed two underlying constructs of work-related stress: lack of administrative control and practice-related stress. Philosophical opposition to behavior therapy predicted job stress. Working with individuals with mental retardation versus…

Adults with severe mental illness (n=44) were administered measures of job interviewing skills, psychiatric symptoms, work history, and quality of life before and after a 3-month Job Finding Club. Results suggested that participants with a lower quality of life were more likely to complete the program, and that quality of participation was…

The use of legal coercion to compel individuals to participate in mental health treatment is expanding despite a lack of empirical support for many of its forms. Policies supporting mandated treatment are made by legislators and judges, often based on perceptions of public concern. Using data from the MacArthur Mental Health Module contained in…