ABSTRACT
Navigating the decision of whether or not to disclose one’s experiences of Madness or distress at work or school is extremely challenging. Stigma and discrimination play a significant role in making such decisions. Stigma against people with experiences of Madness and distress leads to discrimination, affecting employment in particular (Elraz, 2018; Glover et al., 2010; Lettieri et al., 2021; Martin et al., 2000; Østerud, 2022; Russinovaa et al., 2011; Stuart, 2006). Amid these well-founded fears of discrimination, disclosure often feels positive due to supportive responses and the ability to be one’s authentic self (Barth & Wessel, 2022; Mayer et al., 2022; Taniguchi, 2022b; Toth et al., 2022). In this chapter, I describe factors participants weighed in making disclosure decisions and explore their decisions. Many participants interviewed chose to be “out” about their experiences of Madness and distress and worked to normalize such experiences. Others chose not to disclose. I also examine representation and visibility. Participants observed instances when they saw themselves reflected in their encounters with various media, and conversely when they did not. They identified significant influences and proposed centering artists with experiences of Madness and distress in music education to normalize such experiences and counter stigma.
