Primary Care, Behavioral Health, and Public Health: Partners in Reducing Mental Health Stigma

The authors reflect on the role that collaboration between the primary care, behavioral health and public health sectors can play in reducing mental health stigma. They suggest that stigma against mental illness and substance abuse disorders contributes to poor health outcomes and is a major public health problem. They argue that a collaboration between primary care, behavioral health and public health is essential to achieve less stigmatized, more optimal health outcomes for all.