Abstract

This paper provides concrete examples, through qualitative data, of how Corrigan’s Theoretical Framework permeates, specifically how caregivers identified psychiatric symptoms, social-skills deficits, physical appearance, and labels while caring for their loved ones with mental illnesses. Participants in the study were four mothers of individuals with diagnosed mental illnesses and focused a critical lens on their plight of understanding mental illness, stigma, stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. They participated in a 30–90-minute face-to-face interview. This paper provides insight into the lived experiences of family members of individuals with mental illness and their struggles with shifting identity and may serve as a tool to practitioners when building partnerships with families.