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    In Review

    Interventions to Reduce the Stigma Associated WithSevere Mental Illness: Experiences From the Open the

    Doors Program in Germany

    Wolfgang Gaebel, PhD1, Anja E Baumann, MA Phil

    2

    Key Words: stigma, schizophrenia, antistigma program, Germany, interventions, Open theDoors

    Stigmatization of mentalillnesses in general and stigma as-

    sociated with schizophrenia in particular represent main

    obstacles to successful treatment. Ignorance, prejudice, and

    negative public attitudes toward people with schizophrenia

    and their relatives lead to a cycle of alienation and disadvan-

    tage (1). The most common consequences of discrimination

    for people with schizophrenia are social distancing, exclu-sion, and being disadvantaged in regard to housing and em-

    ployment opportunities (compare, 24). The stigma of severe

    mentalillnessexacerbatesthe patient burden causedby theill-

    ness (5,6). Particularly in the case of schizophrenia, the bur-

    den of stigma often leads to chronic social impairment (7).

    As a result of the stigma associated with mental illness, and

    with schizophrenia in particular, people suffering from men-

    tal illness often do not accept professional help until a late

    stage: the fear that they will be labelled simply because they

    have received psychiatric treatmentis too great (5,8). Further,

    the experience of stigma correlates with reduced self-esteem

    and reduced life satisfaction (911). Stigmatization and dis-

    crimination are directed at both the families and friends of

    people with mental illnesses, as well as at members of the

    helping professions (12). Additionally, negative public atti-

    tudes toward people with mental illness complicate the estab-lishment of community mental health services (13).

    Disadvantages in social legislation and in health-insurance

    practice also reflect stigmatization of people with mental ill-

    ness (14).

    Patients Experiences of Stigma

    Surveys investigating patients experiences of stigma and dis-

    crimination have shown that discrimination is most com-

    monly experienced when they seek employment or in the

    W Can J Psychiatry, Vol 48, No 10, November 2003 657

    Stigma associated with mental illness and psychiatric treatment and the discrimination to-

    ward people with mental illnesses that frequently results from this are main obstacles pre-

    venting early and successful treatment. To reduce such stigma and discrimination,

    especially toward people with schizophrenia, the World Psychiatric Association antistigma

    program Open the Doors is currently being implemented in 27 countries. Since August

    1999, the campaign has been executed in 7 project centres in Germany. Public information

    programs and educative measures aimed at selected target groups should improve the

    publics knowledge regarding symptomatology, causes, and treatment options for schizo-

    phrenia and schizophreniform disorders. Improved knowledge should in turn abolish

    prejudice and negative perceptions and facilitate the social reintegration of those suffering

    from mental illness.

    (Can J Psychiatry 2003;48:657662)

    Information on funding and support and author affiliations appears at the end of the article.

    Highlights

    Interventions against stigma and discrimination toward those with mental illness can beeffective.

    In addition to disseminating information about mental illness, special emphasis should beplaced on achieving a more positive media portrayal of people with mental illness and on pro -moting personal contact with them.

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    workplace itself (15). According to interviewee statements,

    colleagues and superiors are the main sources of discrimina-

    tion. However, even psychiatric professional contact with

    patients and relatives has to a certain extent been experienced

    as discriminating.Lack of interest in the patientsbackground

    and needs, exclusion of relatives fromtreatment planning, andtrivialization of patients and relatives viewpoints (16) have

    been mentioned in particular. It has been suggested that

    improved media representation of people with mental illness,

    education of the public about the disorder, and the chance to

    have personal contact with those affected are essential mea-

    sures to abolish stigmatization (19,20).

    Attitudes and Social Distance of the Public in

    Germany

    Prejudices and stereotypes toward persons with mental illness

    exist in the general population worldwide (1720). Depressivedisorders, for example, are regarded by lay people as less in

    need of treatment than schizophrenia and schizophreniform

    disorders (21). Underlying this belief is the prejudice that peo-

    ple with depression could get better if they wanted to and that

    they are lacking in discipline (22,23). Conversely, people

    affected with schizophrenia are frequently thought of as unpre-

    dictable and dangerous (19,20,24), a view that is also reflected

    in media reports (25). People with drug dependency are simi-

    larly affected by negative public opinion: they are often

    accused of being responsible for their situation (2).

    In another study, Angermeyer and Matschinger were able to

    determineclear differences in theextent of socialdistancedis-

    played for different psychiatric disorders (24). For example,

    people withalcohol dependencyencounter the greatest degree

    of rejection, followed by people with schizophrenia and peo-

    ple with a narcissistic personality disorder. The least socialdistance was found in relation to people with major depres-

    sion or panic disorder with agoraphobia. The same pattern

    was shown for all the disorders investigated in this study: the

    more intimatea proposed relationshipwas perceivedto be,the

    greater was the desired social distance.

    These findings have been confirmed by the results of a public

    opinion survey regarding attitudes to people with schizophre-

    nia, carried out in 6 large German cities (19) in the framework

    of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) antistigma pro-

    gram, Open the Doors. The surveywas partof a study ina resi-

    dent project of the Germany-wide Research Network on

    Schizophrenia,which is supported by the German FederalMinistry of Education and Research. In the survey, only

    approximately 10% of the 7246 interviewees admitted to

    being afraid of talking to someone with schizophrenia, but

    almost16% said they would feel disturbed working alongside

    someone with schizophrenia. One-third would be concerned

    if a group of 6 to 8 peoplesuffering from schizophrenia moved

    into their neighbourhood. More than 40% would be opposed

    to sharing a room with a person with schizophrenia (for exam-

    ple, in a hospital). Over 70% would not marry someone with

    schizophrenia (Figure 1).

    658

    W Can J Psychiatry, Vol 48, No 10, November 2003

    The Canadian Journal of PsychiatryIn Review

    Would not marry someone with

    schizophrenia

    Feel afraid to have a conversation

    with someone ...

    Feel disturbed about working on thesame job with someone ...

    Be unable to maintain a friendshipwith someone who has schizophrenia

    Feel disturbed about rooming withsomeone who has schizophrenia

    Feel ashamed if people knew someone

    in your family was diagnosed withschizophrenia

    definitely / probably" in %

    0 20 40 60 80

    Dsseldorf1187

    Munich1278

    Cologne1229

    Bonn1163

    Berlin1215

    Essen1174

    Dsseldorf1187

    Munich1278

    Cologne1229

    Bonn1163

    Berlin1215

    Essen1174

    Figure 1 Social distance toward people with schizophrenia

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    The results concerning social distance are similar to those of a

    study carried out by a Canadian research group, which also

    conducted a public survey in the framework of the Open the

    Doors program (17). Both studies show that the extent of

    social distance increases with increasing intimacy of the pro-

    posed relationship. That means the more close and private the

    imagined situation is, the more rejection of people with

    schizophrenia is to be expected (Table 1). An extensive com-

    parison of both studies has been undertaken by Gaebel and

    others(20).A joint analysisof thedata is currentlyunderway.

    The public opinion survey in Germany also showed that theamount of socialdistance depends on contact with people suf-

    fering from mental illness. People who know someone with

    schizophrenia or who are themselves affected feel less social

    distance than people who have no such contact or are not

    affected themselves. The extent of social distance also

    depends on knowledge. People knowing less about thebehav-

    iour and symptoms associated with schizophrenia, or about

    treatment options for schizophrenia, show more social

    distance.

    Respondents believed that the most valuable intervention

    would be more education and information about mental ill-

    ness, followed by more positive media portrayals and reports

    of people with mental illness. Changes in legislation as a

    means of intervention were thought to be important by 45% of

    all respondents. Even though this recommendation is rated

    lowest, and also taking into account possible effects of social

    desirability, it supports theclaims of relativesand user organi-

    zations to equal opportunities for people with mental illness

    (26). A large section of those interviewed expressed the view

    that the opportunity to have personal contact with people

    suffering from mental illness is an important

    measure to promote their acceptance by the

    public.

    Open the Doors Program in

    Germany

    The findings of the above-described surveys arealso reflected in the activities employed in the

    framework of the German antistigma program,

    Open the Doors. Education, protest, and contact

    (27) arethe keyelementsof antistigma strategies

    recommended by the WPA. These antistigma

    strategies include improving psychiatric care

    and psychoeducation of patients and families,

    involving patients and family members in all

    antistigma activities, including antistigma edu-

    cation in the training of health care providers,

    initiating educational activities in the general

    public and specific targetgroups, and promotingsocial and legal action to reduce discrimination (4).

    In the following report, we describe how these strategies are

    employed in the German project centres participating in the

    WPAprogram.We also describe thefindingsfrom theevalua-

    tion of selected interventions.

    In autumn 2000, the following 7 German project centres

    joined to becomethe Open theDoors Society: Hamburg,Kiel,

    Itzehoe, Leipzig, Dsseldorf, and Munich (2 centres)

    (Table 2). Each centre has developed its own interventions;

    joint activities are coordinated from the Dsseldorf centre.

    C en tr es i n D s s el do rf a nd M un ic h ( Lu d wi g-Maximilians-University [LMU]) are evaluating their mea-

    sures within the framework of the German Research Network

    on Schizophrenia.

    The second Munich project groupthe Bavarian Antistigma

    Action (BASTA), located at the Technical Universityis an

    action group of psychiatric patients, their relatives, and psy-

    chiatric professionals who have combined to tackle discrimi-

    nation toward people with mental illness in society (the

    strategy employed is protest). Various projects provide the

    public and specific targetgroups with information about men-

    tal illnesses (for example, in workshops with the police fac-

    ulty from the Bavarian training college for civil servants,

    where the strategy emplyed is education). This cooperation

    aims to sensitize police officers to particular aspects of deal-

    ing with mental illness patients and to providing information

    that will abolish fears and uncertainties. As with allantistigma

    interventions, this project will offer personal contact with

    people affected by mental illness (employing the strategy of

    contact). Using the Australian Stigma Alarm Network

    (SANE) (28) as a model, this action group also initiated the

    Internet-based SANE, which facilitates reporting of

    Interventions to Reduce the Stigma Associated With Severe Mental Illness: Experiences From the Open the Doors Program in Germany

    Can J Psychiatry, Vol 48, No 10, November 2003 W 659

    Table 1 Comparison of public attitudes in 6 German cities and inAlberta, Canada

    Germany2001

    (n = 7246) %

    Alberta19981999

    (n = 1653) %

    People who know causes for schizophrenia 34 67

    Patients suffer from split personality 80 47

    Patients need prescription drugs 76 83

    Patients can be treated with psychotherapy(without medication)

    45 33

    Patients can work in regular jobs 52 72

    Patients are dangerous to the public 18 17

    Social distance; for example,

    Would not marry someone withschizophrenia

    72 75

    Unable to maintain a friendship 22 18

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    discrimination against those with mental illness (for example,

    in advertisements or press reports). After the facts have been

    investigated, members of BASTA attempt, through direct

    contact, to persuade the author to discontinue the discriminat-

    ing behaviour (for example, by withdrawing an offending

    advertisement).

    To tacklestigma and discrimination in rural areas,activities in

    Itzehoe and Kiel focus on establishing a network of sufferers

    and their relatives, professionals, and decision-makers within

    the political arena and society in general. The project groups

    in Hamburg and Leipzig provide information based on focus

    issues in schools. For example, a public relations association

    in psychiatry was founded; one initiative is the school project

    Crazy? So What! (16). The school project promotes direct

    contact between young people and mental illness sufferers

    during project days or weeks in which schoolchildren are first

    sensitized to theissue. Thechildrenreflect on their knowledgeand their attitudes and, in doing so, are prepared to meet peo-

    ple with mental illness. During conversations with affected

    persons, the schoolchildren are able to examine their attitudes

    and develop their understanding of the consequences of men-

    tal illnesses and what life is like for someone with a mental

    illness.

    As mentioned, the project centres in Dsseldorf and Munich

    (LMU) carry outand evaluate theWPA antistigma program in

    cooperation with research projects of the nationwide

    Research Network on Schizophrenia. The interventions in

    Dsseldorf andMunich targetboth thegeneral publicand spe-

    cific groups having close contact with schizophrenia suffer-

    ers. One example of an intervention targeted at the public was

    a recent art exhibition by the Munich antistigma work group,

    Antistigma Action Munich (ASAM). In January 2002, draw-

    ings by Gnther Grass (German writer and Nobel Prize win-

    ner in literature) were shown, and the film The White Noise

    was screened. Other activities included theatre evenings. For

    example, in December 2002, the piece 4.48 Psychosis, by

    Sarah Kane, was presented in the city theater hall in

    Dsseldorf and followed by podium discussions.

    Effects and Effectiveness of Antistigma

    Interventions: The White Noise

    On January 22, 2002, the Dsseldorf research group pre-

    viewed the feature film The White Noise. The film portrays a

    young manwithmental illness and his subjective experiences:

    it tells the story of Lukas, who develops paranoid hallucina-

    tory schizophrenia following drug consumption. The acute

    psychotic experience of the protagonist is at the forefront of

    the film, portrayed through the application of specialized

    technical aids. Thefilm was shot with a digital hand camerato

    capture Lukas perspective. It consists of striking documen-

    tary images that directly involve viewers in the psychotic

    experience. Through this presentation and through the appli-

    cation of dramatic sound effects that simulate hallucinations,

    viewers experience an intense and partly frightening close-

    ness to the actor and the story. The film won several awards,

    including the Max-Ophuls Prize in 2001. Daniel Brhl, the

    main actor, was awarded with the German film prize in 2002

    for best main actor.

    Approximately 200 spectators attended the event. Most par-

    ticipants (70%) had been invited by Open the Doors

    Dsseldorf; the rest had heard about the event through the

    press, posters, or the Internet. The film was followed by a

    podium discussion with people suffering from mental illness,

    their relatives, and psychiatrists, as well as the films director.

    A questionnaire was distributed among the audience before

    the film was shown; this was to be completed both before and

    after the event. Of 182 questionnaires distributed, 113 could

    be used for evaluation (return rate, 62%). The evaluation

    showed that not everypublic-oriented antistigma intervention

    obtains the desired effect exclusively. On the whole, viewers

    evaluated the event as positive. Most viewers (n = 113)

    believed that they could empathize better with schizophrenia

    sufferers as a result of the event and reported increased under-

    standing. Nevertheless, some negative stereotypes were

    strengthened, and social distancing increased (Figure 2) (29).

    660

    W Can J Psychiatry, Vol 48, No 10, November 2003

    The Canadian Journal of PsychiatryIn Review

    Table 2 Open the Doors in Germanyproject centres and target groups

    Students andteachers

    Healthprofessionals

    Police Journalists Public

    Dsseldorf l l l l

    Mnchen (2) l l l l

    Leipzigl l l

    Hamburg l l

    Kiel l

    Itzehoe l

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    Thefilmdid nothave thedesirable effectof reducing stigmati-

    zation and discrimination toward people with mental illness.

    One reason for the increased negative stereotypes and social

    distance felt by the audience toward people with schizophre-

    nia may be that this film focuses on the protagonists subjec-

    tive psychotic experience and behaviour; viewers may have

    felt threatened by the closeness to the central character pro-

    duced by the creative means mentioned above. Presumably,

    films dealing more with coping with life after psychotic

    crisesthat is to say, with reintegration and rehabilita-tionwill affect audiences more positively. Films can effec-

    tively inform about mental illnesses, which in turn increases

    attention to and empathy for people with mentalillness. How-

    ever, authentic films can also give rise to negative attitudes

    and fear, thereby increasing social distance. It is therefore

    important that, in addition to information, such antistigma

    interventions also provide audiences with an opportunity for

    personal contact with mentally ill people. The great interest in

    this film evening shows that such public-oriented measures,

    carried out within the framework of an antistigma campaign,

    meet the need for education and exchange about the illness.

    The long-term influence of public-based antistigma activities,together with their effects at illness onset and during illness

    course, should therefore be the object of further investigation.

    Summary

    One of the main obstacles to successful treatment of schizo-

    phrenia is the stigma frequently associated with the disorder.

    A diagnosis of schizophrenia and the disorders perceptible

    characteristics can mean that the heterogeneity of behaviour

    attributable to the illness is negatively judged and leads to

    social exclusion and disadvantage.

    Educative and training programs such as

    Open the Doors can improve knowledge of

    mental illness and modify negative atti-

    tudes in the general population as well as in

    specific target groups, such as those

    employed in mentalhealth care. In additionto providing information about the nature,

    causes, and treatment of mental disorders,

    interventions should place special empha-

    sison achieving a more positive media por-

    trayal of people with mental illness and on

    promoting personal contact with them.

    Information on the disorder and on the fac-

    tors underlying its stigmatization should

    reach relatives, friends, colleagues, and

    superiors, as well as physicians, therapists,

    and nursing staff. The frequently expressed

    desire for more encounters with peoplehaving mental illnessfor instance,during

    open days at psychiatric institutionsand

    for more art exhibitions or theatrical productions involving

    those with mental illness are in line with the German

    antistigma program interventions.

    Outlook: Interventions Directed at Medical

    Personnel

    Medical personnel, including psychiatrists, are often impor-

    tant sources of stigmatization. Interventions directed at this

    target group may cost less but be more effective than inter-

    ventions directed at the general public (30). As the mentioned

    patient surveys and focus interviews have shown,patientsand

    their families have experienced discrimination from psychiat-

    ric personnel. Therefore, between 2003 and 2005, a focus of

    the Dsseldorf project centre will rest on interventions with

    personnel in psychiatric institutions. Working with the advi-

    sor from the Swiss Open the Doors group, researchers will

    record and compare the attitudes of those in the German and

    Swiss psychiatric care services toward people with mental

    illness. They will also use patient questionnaires to collect

    experiences of stigma and discrimination. From the survey

    findings, they will develop and evaluate interventions toreduce stigma. Modules of the interventions that successfully

    reduce stigma and discriminating behaviour by psychiatrists,

    nursing staff, and other employees in psychiatric care service

    should, as should all parts of the program, be useful for

    antistigma interventions worldwide.

    Acknowledgements

    The antistigma interventions of the German project centres arepart of the World Psychiatric Association global antistigma pro-gram, Fighting Stigma and Discrimination Because of Schizophre-

    Interventions to Reduce the Stigma Associated With Severe Mental Illness: Experiences From the Open the Doors Program in Germany

    Can J Psychiatry, Vol 48, No 10, November 2003 W 661

    1,0

    1,5

    2,0

    2,5

    3,0

    3,5

    4,0

    1 2 3 4 5 6

    Socialdistance(Mean)

    pre

    post

    definitely

    probably

    probably not

    definitely not

    Figure 2 Social distance before and after the film event

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    nia Open the Doors. For further information on the WPAprogram, please visit the Web site: www.openthedoors.com.

    Funding and Support

    The interventions at the Dsseldorf and Munich centres are beingcarried out as part of a research project of the nationwide GermanResearch Network on Schizophrenia (www.kompetenznetz-schizophrenie.de), funded by the German Ministry of Educationand Research (Grant No. 01 GI 9932).

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    Heinrich-Heine-University, Dsseldorf, Germany.

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    The Canadian Journal of PsychiatryIn Review

    Rsum : Interventions pour rduire les stigmates associs la maladie mentalegrave : expriences du programme Ouvrir les portes en Allemagne

    Les stigmates associs la maladie mentale et au traitement psychiatrique, et la discrimination

    lendroit des personnes souffrant de maladies mentales qui en rsulte souvent, sont les principaux ob-

    stacles un traitement prcoce et russi. Pour rduire ces stigmates et cette discrimination, surtout

    lgard des personnes souffrant de schizophrnie, le programme anti-stigmate de lAssociation

    mondiale de psychiatrie, Ouvrir les portes, est prsentement mis en oeuvre dans 27 pays. Depuis aot

    1999, la campagne a t mene dans 7 centres du projet en Allemagne. Des programmesdinformation du public et des mesures ducatives destins des groupes cibles choisis devraient

    amliorer les connaissances du public sur la symptomatologie, les causes et les options de traitement

    de la schizophrnie et des troubles schizophrniformes. De meilleures connaissances devraient leur

    tour abolir les prjugs et les perceptions ngatives, et faciliter la rinsertion sociale des personnes

    souffrant de maladies mentales.