Carol Franklin

“When people create stigmas and make judgments, they do so without having any understanding of the issue; in fact, many of these stigmas and stereotypes arise from a fear of the unknown. This can be overcome by ensuring that those with the disorder recognize for themselves what they can do to treat the disorder and gain knowledge about it. It is through knowledge and understanding that anyone will have the ability to both improve their own destiny and help others to enjoy a better quality of life. This is the real key to improving their lives and the lives of others, effectively making the world a better place.”
― Carol Franklin, Mental Health: Personalities: Personality Disorders, Mental Disorders & Psychotic Disorders

“People with mental illnesses are then made to believe that they are somehow inferior to everyone else around them. They feel shame, embarrassment, isolation, and discrimination. Creating these kinds of feelings only begins a downward spiral. These feelings of shame and embarrassment can prevent individuals with mental illness from admitting their symptoms and problems. This can hinder them from getting the treatment that they need to have. Additionally, family and friends can have a stigma associated with them that even makes them ashamed or embarrassed. All of this shame causes individuals and their families to conceal or hide the mental illness. This secrecy acts as a barrier or an obstacle to the treatment of the disorders. Discrimination will result in negative effects for the person who is being discriminated against. Some of the harmful effects of stigma on mental illness include bullying, violence, lack of understanding, fewer work and school opportunities, a reluctance to find treatment, and a personal belief that they will never be able to improve their life or situation. These effects can be very destructive to someone who is already struggling with an illness.”
― Carol Franklin, Mental Health: Personalities: Personality Disorders, Mental Disorders & Psychotic Disorders