LAUSR

P opulation-based research indicates that the majority of the public harbor negative feelings toward individuals with severe mental illness—SMI (Angermeyer & Dietrich, 2006). This stigmatization includes various negative beliefs, reactions, and attitudes. For example, many believe those identified as having SMI are dangerous, cannot recover, or cannot contribute to society (West et al., 2011). Research suggests that most people identified with SMI are aware of these beliefs and attitudes. Up to 70% of mentally ill individuals agree that “most people” would reject someone with a mental illness as a friend, neighbor, or coworker (Brohan et al., 2010; Krajewski et al., 2013). This stigma can lead to self-stigma when individuals move beyond awareness of the beliefs and attitudes of others and begin to accept negative stereotypes as true about themselves (Corrigan & Watson, 2002). Up to 41% of those identified as having SMI conditions experience evaluative self-stigma (Brohan et al., 2010). Further, a substantial body of