As a perinatal mental health advocate and mo with postpartum bipolar disorder, I know about stigma firsthand. I was intensely curious to read Philip T. Yanos' examination of mental health stigma since it has been a significant part of my life for over a decade. The author did an excellent job of profiling stigma, and I found the personal stories to be very compelling. I most appreciated how Yanos addressed how to improve self-imposed stigma, something that is very insidious! "Written Off" is an outstanding and comprehensive discussion of a topic that is usually overlooked. It's an important book that should be in the library of anyone affected by mental illness! I can't recommend "Written Off" highly enough, but I'll certainly let my longtime contacts at the International Bipolar Foundation and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance know about "Written Off."

In Written Off: Mental Health Stigma and the Loss of Human Potential, Yanos examines why mental health stigma occurs, defines different levels of stigma and explains how stigma can affect those with severe mental illness by undermining their self-esteem and long-term outlook in life. A self-stigmatizing effect can persist even when an individual is experiencing minimal symptoms and could otherwise function normally. In many instances, social stigma haunts not just the post-institutionalized, but their families and caregivers, as well. Yanos also explores ways that stigma can be reduced in communities, thereby inviting affected individuals back into a productive role in society.

This is an academic work, but an informative one for anyone interested in research on the effects of mental-health stigma and how we can move beyond it.

Disclosure: I was provided a digital ARC in exchange for honest feedback.