I have not personally seen any discrimination regarding mental illness. I know people have misconceptions of mental illnesses thinking that they can't function "normally" in society which could be their own naive opinion based on what they've seen or read about with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or autism. I think most people get their information from television, movies, or books and no one is interested in how well people are doing in their lives all people care about is what is entertaining. I think having people with a mental illnesses on shows like Dr. Phil or even the news who aren't held back by their diagnosis would help bring awareness to the world and show everyone that each person is different and just because you have a mental illness doesn't mean you have to be debilitated by it or withdrawn from society.
Based on the three different forms of discrimination identified by Bruse Link and Jo Phelan (direct, structural, and internalized) certain interventions could be appropriate for each to eliminate discrimination from happening. Direct discrimination is described as a stereotypical approach of someone with a mental illness where someone was directly discriminated against. If this happens to someone that person or a person working with them should speak up and say something. They may be able to explain to the person their diagnosis and the strengths that the person has despite their mental illness. Structural discrimination involves someones social environment which can influence their mental illness based on inadequate funding, dangerous environment that could effect their health, sources of care and be harmful to them. I think bringing people with mental illnesses out to the community and having people see that there's a need and sharing with them the inhibiting factors that they have because of what they are surrounded by would help bring awareness and potential help to the facility. Internalized discrimination is caused by socialization of people that learn as children the negative attributes of people with mental illnesses. Therefore, people are more hesitant to seek help if they have a mental illness for fear that they will be ignored or perceived differently. Support from loved ones and the community would help those get treatment and feel accepted by society regardless of their mental illness.
There are resources out there that help reduce the stigma of mental illness and speak out about what's right when it comes to treating those with certain diagnoses. Connecticut Clearinghouse talks about what it's like for someone dealing with a mental illness and some Do's and Don'ts about how to portray someone with a mental illness.
http://www.ctclearinghouse.org/topics/customer-files/Stigma-and-Mental-Illness-061305.pdf
SAMHSA- What a different a friend makes; again talks about some myths associated with mental illnesses and how important it is to have support from loved ones and the community so someone could experience a good quality of life.
http://www.whatadifference.samhsa.gov/learn.asp?nav=nav01_1&content=1_1_mythsfacts
Wisconsin United for Mental Health, shows how the advocate to help stop discrimination of mental illnesses. They also explain some myths about mental illnesses and how they speak out in the community to try to reach out to society.
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