Intro:
People living with mental illness regularly identify that stigma and discrimination urgently need to change. For this reason, campaigns such as Time to Change (based in the UK) have been put in place to try and decrease the amount of common misperceptions that contribute to the stigma of mental illness.

Body:
Point One: In depth comprehension and application of stigma issues affecting people and groups affected by mental health problems, as well as the campaign methodology and methods that attempt to address the issue.

“Stigma is a form of prejudice against people with a mental illness that involves inaccurate and hurtful representations of them; in some instances those representations might be as violent, comical or incompetent. This form of stigma is dehumanising and makes people with a mental illness the object of fear or ridicule.” (pg 27, Proctor). This in turn can make it harder for those with a mental illness to work, make friends in short and live a normal life.
Families are also affected by stigma, leading to a lack of support. For mental health professionals, stigma means that they themselves are seen as abnormal, corrupt or evil, and psychiatric treatments are often viewed with suspicion and horror.
The most common forms of stigma that are of concern include that people with mental illness are dangerous, all people who experience mental illness are the same and that people who experience mental illness are unfit to work. This is often reinforced by the media, public attitudes and stereotypes and the community us of discriminatory terms such as psycho, schizo, nut and crazy.
Unfortunately due to these stereotypes, stigma can have numerous effects on the mental health community. Often it can make a person feel socially alienated, discouraged to seek help and/or have a social life, they can then look negatively on themselves because of their illness (often leading to severe anxiety and depression) and ultimately it can hinder their recovery.

The Time to Change anti-stigma campaign based in the UK, bases itself around empowering people with mental health problems to feel confident talking about the issue without facing discrimination (Time to Change website). The campaign makes use of social marketing, advertising campaigns and one-day events that bring people with and without mental health problems together.

Point Two: Judgments about the success of the campaign and this argument is rationalized clearly. Areas for improvement are suggested. Show sensitive and thoughtful consideration to any ethical and legal considerations.
The positive impact that the campaign has had on improving public attitudes and reducing discrimination in the UK has been significant. Dr Clair Henderson (from King’s College London’s Institute of Psychiatry) said, “There is evidence that both the quality and quantity of social contact between people with mental health problems and others is increasing. Our evaluation shows that