Understanding Stigma as a Mental Healthcare Barrier

In a study published in Psychological Science in the Public Interest, Patrick Corrigan of the Illinois Institute of Technology reported that about 40 percent of the 60 million patients suffering from mental illness go without treatment. Perceived stigma is a significant barrier for patients seeking mental healthcare. Other barriers include lack of knowledge about mental healthcare, inability to recognize symptoms in one’s self, and inability to identify adequate healthcare resources for mental health symptoms.