Stigma is defined as " the negative and prejudicial way in which people living with mental illness are labelled. Stigma is an internal attitude and belief held by individuals, often about a minority group such as people with mental illness ". (Workplace Mental Health Promotion: A How to Guide, Canadian Mental Health Association, pg. 20). Over the past 30 years, society has made efforts to reduce the incidence of stigma, however, it still remains a major concern for all.

Students must reflect on the above quote, their own research and what has been discussed in class and choose a target group that is stigmatized in society and provide a rationale for their choice. Students must then research the stigma and its many consequences, develop an educational plan to address this stigma and present the educational plan to the class in week 10.

Instructions: CHOSEN STIGMA ON BIPOLAR DISORDER IN CANADA

1. Choose a stigmatized group in society that you wish to focus your assignment on. (high school students, teenage mothers, managers in the workplace, people suffering from a mental illness etc.). Provide a rationale for why you have chosen this group.

2. Research both the stigma and the target group you have chosen including the consequences of the stigma,

3. Create an educational plan that addresses this stigma including the following: a) identify the chosen target group and the associated stigma and provide a rationale for why you have chosen it.

b) Discuss fully what you have learned from your research about the stigma; how the stigma manifests itself, the consequences of the stigma on an individual, group, organizational and society level; the prevalence of the stigma and how your research has informed your education plan.

c) Describe the goal of your education plan, the key components of your plan, who the plan is directed towards, how you would deliver the plan and what could be done differently in society to ensure reduced stigma

4. Develop a 5 minute presentation to be delivered in class in week ten highlighting the key points from your education plan. Make sure that your presentation is clear, concise, comprehensive, well planned with meaningful analysis. Students are responsible for submitting a hard copy of their presentation outline to the instructor in week nine detailing both the content and delivery format for their presentation.