Mental illness stigma in the Israeli context: deliberations and suggestions.

BACKGROUND In this paper we deliberate mental illness stigma in the Israeli context and suggest ways to reduce it, emphasizing the community's role in the rehabilitation of persons with mental illness. MATERIAL A literature review of Israeli and international literature of mental illness stigma. DISCUSSION Community mental health, in addition to its traditional focus on developing community-based services, should focus also on community-based interventions such as the delivery of anti-stigma interventions. CONCLUSIONS Providing individualized rehabilitation services in the community while addressing stigma-induced social barriers may create a better recovery ground for Israelis with mental illness.