The Mark of Shame

"Everyone needs to understand the pervasiveness of stigma, its effects and how it may be countered. This splendid book provides much the best discussion of the issues--being empirically solid but also personally compassionate, as well as realistic in its expectations. It is also a very good read." --Professor Sir Michael Rutter, Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry "Particularly thought-provoking is the chapter related to media portrayals of individuals with psychiatric disorders, including examples of powerful interventions by groups attempting to illustrate the prejudice many hold against the mentally ill, as well as suggestions for marketing strategies to eliminate the bias against the population. The book further illustrates the sad and troubling fact that those with mental illness remain second-class citizens despite their ever-growing numbers in the general population."--Doody's "The content of this book is broad, deep, and fascinating...Hinshaw's skills as a writer cannot be overstated. He uses a mixture of technical and lay language to paint a picture of stigma across the ages that is thoroughly enjoyable to read despite its often distressing content. In addition to being a professor of psychology, Hinshaw comes across as a passionate historian and humanitarian."--Claire M. Kelly, Ph.D., in New England Journal of Medicine