Reducing Stigma Related to Mental Disorders

Initiatives, Interventions, and Recommendations for Nursing

Pinto-Foltz, Melissa D.
Logsdon, Cynthia M.

School of Nursing, University of Louisville
School of Nursing, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, School of Medicine, University of Louisville

Corresponding Author: Melissa D. Pinto-Foltz, BSN, RN, PhD Student, School of Nursing, University of Louisville, 555 South Floyd Street, K Building Louisville, KY 40292.

E-mail address:[email protected]

Archives of Psychiatric Nursing 23(1):p 32-40, February 2009.

Twenty percent of Americans suffer from mental disorders, but most do not receive treatment. Stigma is an important barrier to mental health treatment and recovery. This article aims to summarize current national initiatives to reduce stigma, clarify the current knowledge of stigma-reducing interventions, and provide recommendations to nurses on implementing and investigating stigma-reducing interventions.