This letter was written in response to "Pantoliano thinks Tufts is perfect 'Canvas' to screen his new film," Jan. 26, 2006.
To the Editor,
"The film addresses the stigma associated with mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, highlighting widespread societal misconceptions of these illnesses."
I do not associate "stigma" with mental illnesses. Education prevents me from so doing. You intend to say, the stigma "some associate with mental illnesses," do you not?
Each and every year we graduate thousands of people in mental health professions.
For "widespread societal misconceptions" and "stigma" to continue, these professionals must either be poorly educated or are failing us. Therein lies another story. No other university-educated profession has so consistently, or for so long, failed to educate the public.
Sincerely,Harold A. MaioFormer Consulting Editor Psychiatric Rehabilitation JournalFort Myers, FL
