[Schizophrenia is still a stigmatized disease]

Abstract

In Sweden like in other countries the mentally ill, especially individuals with schizophrenia, are marginalized and stigmatized by society but also by themselves. Their close families and friends have served as informal care-givers after the closing down of mental hospitals, and open-care units have not sufficiently met the needs of the patients. Non-profit organizations and private initiatives such as the Association of families to persons with schizophrenia (Schizofreniförbundet) have played a crucial role for the well-being of patients and their families. Anti-stigmatizing campaigns and processes have proven successful and are possible to perform on all levels, private, in society, and on the political arena. Both self-stigmatization and marginalization would diminish if individuals with schizophrenia were let in on the open labor market. An equal health care, both psychiatric and somatic, is today a utopia for individuals with schizophrenia and other forms of psychoses.