Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

CMHS Consumer Affairs E-News
September 25, 2006, Vol. 06-99

Debunking the Myths: Overcoming Stigma and Discrimination Toward Students with Mental Illnesses in Secondary School Settings

Training Educators to Eliminate Stigma and Discrimination in High Schools

Back to school can mean back to an environment of stigma for high school students who have mental illnesses. The SAMHSA Resource Center to Address Discrimination and Stigma Associated with Mental Illness (ADS Center) is working to counter stigma, and has hosted two training teleconferences that provide information to help students, parents, teachers, administrators, and health professionals:

1.)  Debunking the Myths: Overcoming Stigma and Discrimination Toward Students with Mental Illnesses in Secondary School Settings

2.)  Training Educators to Eliminate Stigma and Discrimination in High Schools

To download complete presentations and listen to the audio recordings, visit the ADS Center Web site at http://www.stopstigma.samhsa.gov/archtel.htm. Instructions for play and download are listed on the Web site.

The ADS Center hosts approximately six free training teleconferences annually. These events generally consist of two or more formal presentations followed by an open forum. Participants present and discuss the most up-to-date research and information about stigma and stigma-reduction programs and topics, as well as share experiences and expertise on efforts to counteract discrimination and stigma associated with mental illness.

Since scheduling conflicts often prevent many stakeholders from joining in the live events, the teleconference trainings are archived online for individuals or groups to utilize at their convenience.

We welcome your questions, comments, and suggestions: promoteacceptance@samhsa.hhs.gov

The SAMHSA ADS Center is a program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services.

About the SAMHSA ADS Center
SAMHSA's Resource Center to Address Discrimination and Stigma (ADS Center) helps people design, implement and operate programs that reduce discrimination and stigma associated with mental illnesses. With the most up-to-date research and information, the ADS Center helps individuals, organizations, and governments counter such discrimination and stigma in the community, in the workplace, and in the media.

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The Center for Mental Health Services is a component of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services.