Media and Stigma
Bill
Lichtenstein, M.S.
Bill Lichtenstein
will trace his own confrontation with the stigma of mental illness as well as
his work fighting it.
Mr. Lichtenstein was
an award-winning investigative producer for ABC News in 1986 when he was
diagnosed with manic depression. He
lost everything — including his job and many friends. For four years, he faced the stigma of the illness, which led him
to deny it and avoid treatment.
Finally, after three hospitalizations, he accepted the illness, and
began working as a documentary producer to shed light on mental illness, to
help the general public understand and accept people affected. His work since has included the Peabody
Award-winning “Voices of an Illness” radio documentary series; the highly
acclaimed weekly public radio series, “The Infinite Mind;” and the theatrical
release documentary film “West 47th Street,” which follows four people with
mental illness over three years and will make its North American premiere in
October at the Vancouver International Film Festival.
Mr. Lichtenstein will also talk
about qualitative and quantitative research conducted for a major mental health
anti-stigma campaign conducted by his company, Lichtenstein Creative
Media. The research provides stark new
insights into what causes the general public to stigmatize people with mental
illness, and what could change its attitudes.