@tecomsin , it is terrible to encounter people with such stigma against those with mental illness. And I think (hope) you're right, that if she had said something like that about other groups she may have (may have) gotten more of a backlash, which would have been definitely deserved. However, even those examples you gave are not always challenged. People are complicit all too often. It's been a very sad awakening for people, including me, how common racism, prejudice, sexism, and stigma still are, even in places where you wouldn't think them that big of an issue. I really learned this about four years ago. If I hadn't then, I sure would have a little over two years ago. That vile bile has even infected my own brother. In any case, I know that many people in groups like AA are not like that woman you wrote about, however, even one person can make the whole group too uncomfortable to attend.

I once attended an adult school class that focused on organizational skills at home. The class was taught by a psychologist. Yes, psychologist. Twice during the course she told stories about her mother whom she claimed had bipolar disorder. Totally off subject from the course. The course had ZERO to do with mental illness. But the worst thing was that she was basically saying that all people with bipolar disorder are abusive. I did speak up (horrified), and also wrote a letter to the adult school about this psychologist's stigma towards people with bipolar. I've noticed that she was no longer asked to teach the course.