Stigma of the Mentally Ill Among University of Tennessee, Knoxville Students

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 2009), suicide kills nearly 100 people in the United States each day. Suicide rates among college-aged students are higher than among the general population; with suicide as the second leading cause of death among this age group (CDC). In addition to the heightened levels of suicide among the population suffering from mental illness, stigma compounds the issues affecting this population (Link & Phelan, 2001). In response to these issues, communities around the world have reacted with community intervention campaigns, both to combat suicide and to reduce stigma. The dissertation study will examine the issues of suicide, stigma and community-based intervention campaigns within the context of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s campus.