ABSTRACT
Stigma has its roots in differences. For example, society or the majority of society perceives individuals with a physical disability, HIV and AIDS as different. These individuals may also feel different. People are in reality different from each other, whether that difference is one of personality, physical appearance, illness and disability, age, gender or sexuality. Thus, it can be argued that it is not the difference itself (or a particular type of difference) that causes the stigmatisation, prejudice and discrimination; it is about how acceptable the difference is to society or the majority of society. People with `mental illness' are, unfortunately, seen as one of the most unacceptable groups in society because of their perceived character.
