The Lord Buddha destigmatizes mental illness

Indian J Psychiatry. 2018 Jan-Mar;60(1):135-137. doi: 10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_293_17.

Abstract

The authors describe the encounter of Lord Buddha with a greatly mentally disturbed woman named as Patacara (literally in Pali: "the shameless" or "the naked" woman). His reception of her in spite of the dislike of the listeners of his discourse, his explanation of her difficulties, and consolation are mentioned. Her elevation as one of the great Bhikkunis as "The One with Discipline of the Mind" is an outstanding example of destigmatization of mental illness.

Keywords: Buddhism; destigmatization; mental illness.