Stigma

People with mental health issues often face stigma in their communities. The Mayo Health Clinic has an article that talks about the ways that individuals contribute to stigmatizing others:

• Labeling someone with a condition
• Stereotyping people who have that condition
• Creating a division — a superior "us" group and a devalued "them" group, resulting in loss of status in the community
• Discriminating against someone on the basis of their label

The article also has information on what individuals with mental health issues can do to help with the stigma. Nostigma.org is another good resource for people dealing with mental health issues and the people who love them.

CeDIR's directories for each county in Indiana list agencies and organizations for people with disabilities, and many counties will often list local mental health clinics.