Paradigms Lost, Paradigms Found

Paradigms Lost: Fighting Stigma and the Lessons Learned illustrates the long standing stigma attached to mental illness and its continued prominence today. Although the problem of stigma appears daunting, the authors offer an innovative approach to help combat social exclusion. Their proposed new paradigm constructs an optimistic and practical way to break down the social barriers to recovery. * Rebecca G. Palpant, Assistant Director, The Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism, The Carter Center Mental Health Program, Atlanta, Georgia *
Despite valiant efforts to tear down the stigma of mental illness, it stubbornly remains a hurtful force. That's why a careful look at assumptions of change is needed to go forward. Paradigms Lost does this critically. Stuart, Arboleda-Florez, and Sartorius provide a masterful tour-de-force of the scholarly literature to carefully unpack what we know about stigma so we can move ahead to eliminate its egregious impact. But their book does not end with a review of the science. They then provide a practical, hands-on guide to setting up anti-stigma programs meant to reflect the wisdom of their reviewed paradigms. * Patrick W. Corrigan, PsyD, Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL *
This extraordinary book by international experts stands on its head the accepted wisdom about fighting the stigma of mental illness. This is the most important book yet published on what we must do to reduce the insidious and powerful force that can paralyze attempts to improve recovery from psychiatric disorder. * Prof Richard Warner, MB, MS, Director, Colorado Recovery Inc., Boulder, CO and Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado, Denver, CO *
There are many more similarities than differences among people around the world. Paradigms Lost, a book about lessons learned by authors Stuart, Arboleda-Florez and Sartorius on fighting the stigma of mental illness, is proof of this. With a unique 2 part format that addresses stigma but also personal clinical and field experiences, this book is a historical compendium with a passionate call to action. To help readers move ahead quickly, tip sheets and assessments are included. The boldness of the statements in this book are refreshing and should help fight stigma around the world to improve the lives of people living with mental illness. Hats off to the publishers for recognizing the importance of this work. * Linda B. Cottler, PhD, MPH, Dean's Professor of Epidemiology, Chair-Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, College of Public Health and Health Professions, Gainesville, FL *
Paradigms Lost: Fighting Stigma and the Lessons Learned is simply excellent. The chapters are clearly written and well organized and the material is relevant to the aim of the book, i.e., to inform those wishing to undertake anti stigma programmes. I am sure that it will be a vitally important contribution to the field. * Prof Graham Thornicroft, Professor of Community Psychiatry, Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK *
We are all opposed to the stigma of mental illness, but that is not enough. We needed this book to remind us of what we previously misunderstood, and to reinforce what we now know. * Michael Smith, The British Journal of Psychiatry *