How does the stigma of having mental illness contribute to peoples recovery?
A. It is almost as difficult as recovering from the disease itself. Instead of John or Susan, they are seen as “That Guy with Schizophrenia” or “The Woman with Bipolar.” It’s very polarizing. Q.What is your estimate of the number of people with schizophrenia who can manage well? A. About one-third of those with schizophrenia do quite well. Another third are pretty stable but continue to have trouble. The last third have a persistently difficult course. Q.Wisconsin is one of a handful of states that does not require parity for mental illness in insurance coverage. Is mental illness that much more expensive to treat than, say, heart disease or cancer? A. It’s a fantasy or fiction that mental health care is really expensive and that people will fake it. The reality is that the prevention is much less expensive than a cure. And, if anything, people are inclined to under-report their mental illness. Q.How do you help people recover from mental illness? A. Help engenders hope. Recovery does
