Responding to many StigmaBusters, who requested help
in dealing with local situations of stigma, we offer
this new flyer, introduced and distributed at the
Convention, for your use.  It may be downloaded and
distributed as needed.

NAMI STIGMABUSTERS EMAIL ALERT

HOW TO DEAL WITH LOCAL STIGMA

"Overall approaches to stigma reduction involve
programs of advocacy, public education, and contact
with persons with mental illness through schools and
other societal institutions..." --- Report on Mental
Illness by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher      
                                *       *       *
ACTION for STIGMA sighted in local newspaper/radio
news reports, editorials or ads, billboards, or, heard
on TV news and talk show programs.

Affiliate members, with Affiliate Presidents using
their NAMI letterhead, professionals, providers and
friends, need to contact by FAX, mail or phone:

Radio or TV station manager, newspaper publisher and
editor, advertisers and sponsors.  Sponsors do not
want to lose their local customers. They are usually
the first to change or withdraw their commercial. 
HOWEVER, DO WATCH FOR AND COMMEND ALL OF THE ABOVE FOR
SUPPORTIVE  ARTICLES, EDITORIALS, ETC.
                                                               
PRO-ACTION TO CURB THE GROWTH OF LOCAL STIGMA

Outreach to civic/business organizations and the
clergy, to speak and/or distribute fact sheets about
the hurts and harms of stigma, i.e. your own story.
Contact Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, League of
Women Voters, PTA, Neighborhood Homeowners 
Association, your own clergy person, etc.

Inform your local and State elected officials, from
City Council, Supervisors, to Assemblypersons,  State
Senators and Governor about the true facts about brain
disorders before they make decisions about legislation
and regulations affecting persons with mental illness.
They need to understand the myths and misconceptions
that perpetuate prejudice and stigma resulting in the
unjust discrimination against persons with mental
illness in housing, employment, education, etc.  They
need to fund the basic needs of all persons with a
severe mental illness to provide treatment that works
and for recovery to happen  Treatment services must be
made available.

Ask your Board of Education to follow U.S. Surgeon
General Dr.David Satcher's report dealing with the
importance of educating children in the classroom
about mental illnesses. Youngsters need to understand
they must report symptoms just as they would for any
other illness. Stigma arising from classmates taunting
them with names like "pscyho,"  "weirdo". etc.  does
keep them from seeking  treatment.  The adolescent
suicide rate is rising alarmingly among young people
with untreated clinical depression.

Most importantly and for many, it's most difficult:
families need to speak out, when appropriate, in any
conversation. They need to be open about the illness
of their loved one just as if it were any other
disorder of the body. Unfortunately, keeping this as a
family secret contributes to the stigma.

        *       *       *                      
       
Bias, distrust, stereotyping, fear, embarrassment,
anger, and/or avoidance manifest stigmatization of
people with mental disorder.  Stigma leads the
(public) to avoid living, socializing or working with,
renting to, or employing people with mental disorders.
It reduces access to resources and opportunities
e.g., housing, jobs and leads to low self-esteem,
isolation, and hopelessness.  It deters the public
from seeking, and wanting to pay for care. Stigma
results in outright discrimination and abuse. More
tragically, it deprives people of their dignity and
interferes with their full participation in society.--
Dr. David Satcher      

        *       *       *

NOTE: For your use as needed, we include the updated
StigmaBusters Flyer also distributed at the
Convention.  It may be downloaded for further
distribution:

NAMI  STIGMABUSTERS EMAIL ALERT                         

Are you angry about outdated, outrageous, offensive
portrayals or language about persons with mental
illness?  Do you want to tell the people creating or
promoting these ads, characters, editorials, etc. how
you feel about their hurtful, demeaning
and dehumanizing creations and pronouncements?

JOIN THE NAMI STIGMABUSTERS E-MAIL ALERT!

Here's how it works:

Local persons/affiliates deal directly with their own
local radio-TV, newspapers and any other business
using offensive language or portrayals.

State Organizations deal with situations in their
communities and statewide stigma issues in the media.

NAMI StigmaBusters E-mail Alert will inform you about
all situations in national media, films, TV,
magazines, ads, and press like The Washington Post, NY
Times.  LA Times. etc.  The Alerts will provide
details about the offensive portrayals and/or language
with the name and e-mail or mailing address of the
person responsible for the situation.  This will
unleash a flood of messages to educate the offending
parties. 
   
     NAMI StigmaBusters E-mail Alerts will inform you
about any responses received - 
     positive or negative.

* StigmaBusters also sends letters of appreciation and
commendation to producers of TV or motion picture
films for their accurate portrayal of a character with
a mental illness. 

To report a situation for a NAMI StigmaBusters E-mail
Alert, please include the      specifics - all details
about an issue: the date, portrayal, language, and the
ad in print or TV media   Email your report to
smarch@nami.org

        *       *       *       *       *

"Film and television shows depicting mental illness
can help the public learn
it is treatable and that suicide is preventable. . .
they have a greater ability to disseminate information
and attitudes than we (health workers) do alone ."
--U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher

*       *       *       *       *       *

    To sign up, log on to www.nami.org, and scroll
down to click on STIGMA ALERT LISTINGS

############################

3.   RESPONSE FROM TOSHIBA
Our letter to Toshiba said:

"We have received numerous reports from our members
about the offensive and hurtful TV commercial set in a
hospital mental ward, with a patient attempting to
make photocopies in a cardboard box, using a slot to
send out paper. This commercial perpetuates stigma
that is so hurtful to a person struggling with a
mental illness.

I doubt you would have a commercial featuring an
individual with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, diabetes,
cancer, etc.  Mental disorders, which afflict one in
five persons, are as devastating as all other
disorders of the body and need to be treated with the
same sensitivity and respect.

We hope you understand the concerns of our families
and their loved ones with mental disorders, not only
in our country, but around the world, who are offended
by this message indicative of ignorance.  We hope you
will consider replacing it with a message that
describes the great features of your copying machines
without offending any group."

HERE IS THE TOSHIBA RESPONSE:
FROM THE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
SALES, MARKETING AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS

"I received your FAX regarding our current television
commercial featuring Toshiba's remote copying
capability.

The commercial in question has been airing for a
number of weeks now and to date, from the millions of
viewers who have seen the commercial, we have received
almost no negative response.  In fact, given the many
organizations that deal with numerous issues
association with mental illness, yours in the only
organization we have heard from

I can assure you that the intent of the commercial was
not to offend any group or individual.  In an effort
to illustrate the benefits of the remote access
capabilities of newer copier products, we choose to
illustrate through exaggeration, the plight of someone
who had spent too much time in front of the copier - a
situation most working Americans find themselves in
far too often.

Until receiving you Fax, we had no idea of the
sensitive nature of our commercial.  However, based on
your sharing the reaction of your members, we will
certainly take your concerns into consideration in the
creation of future Toshiba Copier advertising.

We will give serious consideration to your input
regarding our current commercial and continue to
research reactions from you, as well as others, in an
effort to produce future advertising that promotes the
attributes of our products without creative negative
stigma.  In this regard, we appreciate having received
the benefit of the input provided by your
organization.

Thank you for voicing your concerns.  We wish NAMI
ultimate success in its efforts to educate the public
on the devastation of mental illness."

*       *       *       *       *

StigmaBusters will watch and listen for future Toshiba
commercials. Another international corporation with a
huge advertising budget has been educated -- thanks to
our ever-alert StigmaBusters.

############################

4.  AMERICA'S SWEETHEARTS

The following letter was sent to the editor of The
Washington Post to educate its  film critic:

To the Editor:

Dessen Howe's movie review ['Sweetheart: Julia
Delivers A Yummy Treat,"  July 20, 2001] cheerfully
quoted a line in America's Sweethearts which attempts
to makes a joke out of mental illness.  Asked about
hotel accommodations for his entourage, Eddie (John
Cusack) replies "I'm a paranoid schizophrenic.  I am
my own entourage."

It is unfortunate that a movie critic should
legitimize "this immortal line" at a time when the
U.S. Surgeon General has called on the entertainment
industry to join the fight against the stigma that
surrounds mental illness. At the very least, Howe
might have corrected Eddie's ignorance. What Eddie
probably meant was that he had a multiple personality
disorder, which is something very different from
paranoid schizophrenia.

Either way, it is inappropriate and irresponsible to
trivialize severe mental illnesses for laughs. Mental
illness is not funny.

Sincerely,

Rick Birkel
Executive Director
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill

*       *       *       *       *       *

Note:  We are sending a letter to the writers and
producers of "AMERICA'S SWEETHEARTS"  with information 
for their consideration when making references to a
mental illness in future films.

############################

5.    THE DREW CAREY SHOW SEASON FINALE, MAY 23, 2001
SITUATION

As noted in our May 2001 Alert, the production office
and staff of the Drew Carey Show were on hiatus from
mid May to mid July. We now need to send an alert
about the offensive nature of the Drew Carey Show
Season Finale on ABC, Wednesday May 23rd - an episode
which showed him locked up in a mental institution,
drugged and in a straitjacket.

Please send a message to let the producers and Drew
Carey know how you feel about this portrayal of mental
illness and to request that they not repeat this
dehumanizing  episode in the future.

MESSAGE POINTS

* We understand this is a comedy show, and we have a
sense of humor. However, the portrayal of a man going
through the motions of a psychotic break, even if it's
fictional, is not a laughing matter.  In real life, it
is most devastating.

* Straitjackets are no longer in use. Showing a person
in a straitjacket today perpetuates a stereotype and
elicits a hurtful memory from those who endured this
kind of demeaning treatment in the past. 

* Today, as a rule, persons are not "drugged" to the
extent shown. Currently, new medications allow people
to live normally and work towards recovery.  People
seeking decent housing, employment, and education
require understanding and support from the community. 
Unfortunately, far too often they face ignorance and
fear perpetuated by stigma.

* As Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher recently said
in Los Angeles,

"Film and television shows depicting mental illness
can help the public learn it is treatable and that
suicide is preventable. . .In your shows, you have a
greater ability to disseminate information and
attitudes than we (mental health workers) do alone."
                       
ACTION: 
If you agree, please FAX your message to:
Drew Carey
Bruce Helfond, Executive Producer
Holly Hester, Executive Producer
Deborah Oppenheimer, Executive Producer
The Drew Carey Show
4000 Warner Boulevard, Bldg 19, lst Floor
Burbank, CA 91522

FAX Number:  (818) 954-3979
The Drew Carey Show is aired Wednesday evening on ABC
Check your local TV schedule for time.

############################

6.      DEAR ABBY: August 2, 200l

In case you missed this excellent letter to Dear Abby
in the newspapers on
August 2nd, here it is in its entirety.

SCHIZOPHRENIA PATIENTS TELL IT LIKE IT IS TO DOCTORS'
GROUP

DEAR ABBY: Several years ago, you asked readers who
had been diagnosed with schizophrenia to write and
describe their experiences with the mental health
system for the Group for Advancement of Psychiatry. We
received hundreds of candid, thoughtful and
provocative letters, and while their treatment and
reactions were diverse, many shared similar
experiences.  They described their struggle with a
terrible and frightening illness and the importance of
their own inner strengths, as well as support from
mental health professionals, family, friends, religion
and work. What was vital was feeling cared-for,
respected and listened-to by a knowledgeable doctor
(or other professional), who would stick with them
over the long haul.

Many readers complained that their care was hindered
by insurance limitations, restrictive agency policies
and insensitive or unskilled clinicians.

There were many inspirational letters about lifesaving
care, yet we physicians were appalled by how often
treatment was perceived as impersonal, fragmented and
dehumanizing. Without social, personal, residential
and vocational supports, medications rarely helped.
However, we were touched and impressed that so many of
your readers were resourceful in overcoming the
limitations of their illnesses.

Stigma and prejudice from medical professionals,
institutions and the general public were additional
obstacles to recovery. Dozens of letters contained
painful stories saying that being regarded as mentally
ill slowed the person's progress. It is essential that
people with mental illness be seen as capable human
beings, who are much more than the illnesses with
which they struggle.

Reading the letters was enlightening. In response, we
have written a report, "Now That We Are Listening,"
summarizing important issues in treating schizophrenia
and providing excerpts of some of the letters. The
report is free to your readers.

Thank you for helping us and other psychiatrists to
understand how our patients feel about their care. --

THE COMMITTEE ON PSYCHIATRY AND THE COMMUNITY GROUP
FOR ADVANCEMENT OF PSYCHIATRY

===========
And here is Abby's response:

DEAR COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND DEAR READERS:
A great many medical consumers would love the chance
to air their feelings about how they have been treated
by "the system."

Thank YOU for allowing my readers to level with you. I
had the opportunity to review many of the letters
readers sent to assist your study. While it came as no
surprise that patients were willing to tell me things
they wouldn't ordinarily tell their doctors, I was
struck by their frankness.

Those interested in obtaining a copy of the booklet,
"Now That We Are Listening," may do so by sending name
and address to: McKassen, Attn: Maria Harryn, 800
Business Center Drive, Suite 100, Horsham, PA 19044.
Be sure to include the title of the booklet with your
request.

############################

RESPONSES TO YOUR MESSAGES

We returned from the Convention to find a few hundred
emails on our computer.  I have read each one and hope
that information included in the Alerts does answer
some of your questions.

I appreciate not only your messages appreciating our
Alerts but also, the differences of opinions expressed
by many participants.  Our decisions about which
situations to cover are based on the number of
reports, the credibility of the company involved, and
a discussion with NAMI staff members.

We agree with those who report about the outrageous
language and graphics referring to mental illness on
the Internet. A stigmatizing situation on a web site
usually brings us just ONE  report. When we receive
numerous reports, we do investigate to find the web
site's owner or person in charge of its pages. 
However, the Internet does not have any official
oversight for the material used on web sites.

StigmaBusters is growing with participants from home
and around the world.  Countries in every continent
receive our films, TV shows, products and commercials,
including those that perpetuate stigma.  So we
appreciate those who join us in our two goals: to bust 
stigma and to commend those whose message to the
public is honest and accurate.

Thanks for your continued support and for your reports
of "stigma sightings." We are well on our way to
making our mark - making our message known, understood
and applied to all media - to eliminate discrimination
and prejudice produced by stigma!

Stella March, Coordinator
NAMI StigmaBusters Email Alert
(smarch@nami.org)"