Stigma is a mark of disgrace associated with a circumstance, quality, or person. The stigma of people that are not mentally ill has been shown to be affected by personal contact with the mentally ill and by a belief in the genetic heritability of mental illness. Stigma impedes recovery from mental illness and, thus, represents a tremendous burden on people with mental illness and on society. The stigma of mental illness continues to be strong and pervasive in our society, and leaves lasting effects on people with mental illness. In the article “The relationship of multiple aspects of stigma and personal contact…” it says, “the stigmatizing label of mental illness has the objective external effects of discrimination in housing, employment,
