Social stigma follows poor, disabled & mentally ill people. Schizophrenia and even depression are misunderstood and often joked about in popular culture. Child psychologist, Tim Murphy, tells USA Today:

“The federal government has set so many barriers to getting care, which they have done with no other type of illness, and it is wrong. There is no other area of medicine where the government is the source of the stigma.”

Professor of psychology, Patrick Corrigan, notes that there are so many stereotypes of mental illness that people are afraid to come forward for help. He advocates mental health programs, such as for schools and workplaces, should invite speakers who are living with mental illness to help other people better understand and speak up about their issues.