i have mixed thoughts about your questions, ygrec. i find the populous is not interested in understanding we're not freaks. a good example is my son. my ex is paranoid schiz. i am bipolar1 and have other dx's too. i have suggested he read up on his parents' MI to better understand our MI. i've even given him articles to read. result-nada. i believe many people are afraid if they read about us they may find themselves wondering about their own mental state. (my son included) it's like making the cross in front of a vampire. other people don't go even that far. they are just not interested. they automatically apply the stigma instead.
what can we do?
i'm glad some celebs have spoken out and/or published a book about their MI. but the focus is that they're a celebrity with something juicy. patty duke i believe did help ppl note MI, for ex. but i don't know if a book by those with MI would attract ppl to read it unless it had a curious title to attract readers.
i guess i'm not very optimistic but i believe your thoughts are perhaps on the right path. the question still remains "how?" in a constructive, appealing manner. i don't know what is the answer. perhaps contacting NAMI could be a start.