We have been induced for so long to connect the term "stigma" with mental illness that we present it not as an opinion, but as a truth, history presented us with other examples which, over time, we learned to reject.
I am 85, was present when in the early 1970s a group of personally empowered women stood before a microphone and in unified voice told us to stop declaring rape/stigma; we had done enough harm. In that moment we stopped. Most of us have forgotten that day, and few to none of us apply Stop declaring stigma to the term itself.
I was present when after declaring AIDS stigma we rose above the urge and began looking at it not as a biblical scourge, but as an illness. With a change in temperament came research and treatments.
I was too young to fully appreciate the use of the term stigma in WWII Germany, but it became clear to me as I grew. The world responded, far too late.
From each of those lessons we ought have learned, applied those lessons. Curiously, we have not. It is time to do so.
Harold A Maio, retired mental health editor
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
