Abstract
Prominent researchers within the arena of mental health such as D. Eker, (1989), assert
that lay people have their own definitions of mental illness and possess certain
attitudes towards those they recognise as mentally ill, therefore, giving rise to
stigmatising attitudes. The study provided a quantitative review of the relationships
between attitudes towards mental illness and that of gender, Self-Compassion and
Satisfaction with Life. The present study examined the attitudes held by psychology
students (n=60) and law students (n=40) towards the mentally ill. No significant
differences were observed for male and female participants in relation to their
attitudes towards mental illness. Findings and limitations of this research are discussed
with suggestions for future research proposed. Author keywords: Mental illness, stigma, stereotyping, mental health
