Stigma and how it relates to you and me

There has always been a stigma when it relates to the mentally ill. Just as there is a stigma associated with African Americans (and stereotypes too), there are many ways that people try to grossly categorize people with mental illnesses as "crazy" or "psycho."

Although, sensitivity has grown in the public's eye regarding those afflicted with mental illnesses, there is much that remains to be done. Consider this, twin brothers, one without the use of their legs, and one with schizophrenia. The one without the use of his legs is apparently and obviously handicapped. People will pour out their offers to help the one who is paraplegic whereas the one with schizophrenia, who is just as disabled in a different way, will just be viewed by others as a sad, crazy mental case and no help will be offered. People are afraid of what they cannot see, by nature. Therefore, people with schizophrenia are labeled as someone that we fear--those that are "crazy."