I agree that stigma is alive and well, with some illnesses being more stigmatized than others.

4 years ago I was homeless and living in transitional housing. Another woman and I decided to pair up and try renting an apartment together, since neither of us could afford a one bedroom, but we could each afford half of a 2 bedroom.

Staff at the shelter tried seriously hard to talk me out of the plan. Why? Because the other woman has schizophrenia. It was totally controlled by meds, and she was completely asymptomatic. But she had the label.

We've been room mates ever since and get along great. Arguably she's the more stable of the 2 of us, since she got off disability about 5 months ago and is now holding down a full time job, while I can only handle part time work and am applying for disability.

Neither of us disclose our mental health histories, and in my case addiction unless absolutely forced to.

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