Paradigms Lost challenges key paradigms currently held about the prevention or reduction of stigma attached to mental illness using evidence and the experience the authors gathered during the many years of their work in this field. Each chapter examines one currently held paradigm and presents reasons why it should be replaced with a new perspective. The book argues for enlightened opportunism (using every opportunity to fight stigma), rather than more time consuming planning, and...

Stigma is one of the major barriers to care for people with mental health and related disorders. Stigma includes negative beliefs about and hostile perceptions towards others, shame and self-stigma, discriminatory practices in hiring, promotion and recognition of people who suffer from mental health challenges, and structural and organizational policies and processes that result in inequalities for people who have mental health challenges. Stigma has been recognized as a significant factor...

In 2012, Paradigms Lost critically examined the key paradigms used in programs aiming to prevent or reduce the stigma attached to mental illness. Today, many programs addressing stigma have been successfully developed or improved using the notions and recommendations presented in that volume. Paradigms Lost, Paradigms Found builds on the lessons of the first edition and adds new approaches to reducing the stigma related to mental illness. It brings together the latest the...