Knowledge Advances but Attitudes Stand Still

  Thanks for the post, Jerry.    Here's something for you: When I   worked at the Mental Patients Association in the mid 80's, attitudes about schizophrenia where bad ,but not half as bad as they are today.       I think that one of the reasons is that we live in a more fearful society , generally.   There is very little trust in main stream society so anything outside the norm is immediately shunned, esp. after 9/11.      I don't know what it's like in the Unite States, but here in Canada people who overtly exhibit signs of a mental disability are shunned by the public.

As for the media , they are always quick to point out that the accused offender has  had a mental illness.         Community groups are helping and some good work has been done, but it breaks my heart to read about a young man with schizophrenia being shot to death by police because he raised a pair of sciisors at the officer.

Education of law enforcement officials is crucial in any change in the mainstream.                        And so ,in conclusion , education is the answer.    How can people be expected to make an informed decision about something in which they know nothing about ?          And education means at all levels , including high school.

       If people were taught that we're not a bunch of axe-wielding maniacs trying to kill their grandmother it would be a different and more tolerant world for them and for us.

Sincerely,

Don Fraser

Thank you for citing my study

you need to see the data on Stigma and schizophrenia from Mumbai to really understand what tolerence is all about, If you want I can email it to you

regards

Amresh Srivastava

Thank you for citing my study

you need to see the data on Stigma and schizophrenia from Mumbai to really understand what tolerence is all about, If you want I can email it to you

regards

Amresh Srivastava