Stigma Matters: An African American Psychology Professor Comes Out of the Mental Illness Closet

The debilitating stigma of mental illness is present in psychologists, psychology departments, and in the larger higher education environment. My reflections on my experience as an African American psychology professor living with bipolar disorder can shed light on how stigma can prevent colleagues from intervening and providing much-needed support to a colleague in crisis. I summarize the history of my struggle with mental illness and with the decision to write about it. I emphasize the importance of vigilance with respect to the fact that changes in medication can rapidly and radically impact one's mood and behavior. My insights as a prosumer can inform administrators, staff, and faculty as they develop policies and practices to assist employees with mental health concerns, which should include providing trusted colleagues with permission to contact a spouse, friend, therapist, and/or family member in the event of a change in behavior. The aim is reduced stigma, greater authenticity on the part of the person living with mental illness, and early intervention, similar to the response one would expect to a heart attack, to interrupt or prevent a prolonged episode of psychological distress. Impact Statement Due to concerns about stigma and its impact on their professional and personal lives, mental health professionals, especially those of African descent, rarely share the details of their own mental health concerns. Accounts of lived experience could enhance empathy for people with mental illness and inform the general public, the media, students, administrators, clinicians, and policy makers about the multifaceted challenges of improving mental health and reducing stigma.