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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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Manuscript received and accepted August 2003.1Director, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Heinrich-Heine-University, Dsseldorf, Germany.2Scientific Coordinator, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy,
Heinrich-Heine-University, Dsseldorf, Germany.
Address for correspondence: Ms AE Baumann, Department of Psychiatryand Psychotherapy, Heinrich-Heine-University Dsseldorf, BergischeLandstrae 2, 40629 Dsseldorf, Germanye-mail: [email protected]
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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.