Produced as part of the Royal College of Psychiatrists' anti-stigma campaign , "Changing Minds", this text is a revised edition of the original Internet and CD-ROM version, comprising a collection of 90 learned articles, personal perspectives and commentaries. It attempts to explain and penetrate to the "deep spring" that is the source of these stigmatisations and discriminations against people with mental illnesses. Internationally renowned experts shed light on the causes of, reactions to and misunderstanding of what underwrites an all too common condemnation of those with anxiety or depressive disorders, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, eating disorders, alcohol or drug misuse, and disordered personalities. Others, who have experienced such severe mental health problems (one in four of us within our lifetime), describe their distress and the crushing effects of discrimination.

This book, which has been aptly described as a "gold mine", will be of great interest to all health professionals, social workers, carers and anyone affected by mental illness.