Improving Treatment, Prevention, and Rehabilitation

The stigmatization of mental disorders, of persons with mental disorders, and of the people and institutions delivering mental health care are significant barriers to mental healthcare seeking and use of mental healthcare services. However, results about these associations are few and to some degree variable, indicating that there are important differences between societies and/or individuals. Effective treatment of mental disorders may have de-stigmatizing effects on individuals and preventing mental disorders may be a major factor in alleviating the societal burden of stigmatization of mental disorders in the future. This chapter shows how progress in the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of mental disorders may reduce stigmatization, and reviews results of some studies addressing the intricate relationship between these aspects.