Mental Illness Stigma in the Israeli Context: Deliberations and Suggestions

BACKGROUND: In this paper we deliberate mental illness stigma in the Israeli context and suggest ways to reduce it, emphasizing the community's role in the rehabilitation of persons with mental illness. MATERIAL: A literature review of Israeli and international literature of mental illness stigma. DISCUSSION: Community mental health, in addition to its traditional focus on developing community-based services, should focus also on community-based interventions such as the delivery of anti-stigma interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Providing individualized rehabilitation services in the community while addressing stigma-induced social barriers may create a better recovery ground for Israelis with mental illness.