Mental illnesses, particularly severe conditions like schizophrenia, are entwined with social stigma and self-stigmatization, significantly influencing an individual's social identity. Stigma and auto-stigmatization can deeply impact a patient's self-esteem, playing a pivotal role in their illness trajectory and the process of healing emotional and biographical wounds (Bay, 1991). In an era of profound individuation, where identity and self-integrity are under constant threat, addressing stigma becomes a critical element for an individual's life quality (Monaghan & Gates, 2015). The link between stigma, chronic illnesses, and their embodiment has been extensively studied, underscoring its central role in an increasingly individualistic society (Charmaz, 1983; Inman, 2019; Maffoni et al., 2017; Loco et al., 2009; Valasaki, 2021).
The management of stigma isn't confined to a mere side issue in mental health; it's a pivotal aspect, warranting care and self-care. This is especially true in the context of evolving community psychiatry in Greece, where long-term institutionalization is no longer the primary treatment modality (Madianos, 2020; Moudatsou et al., 2021; Missouridou et al., 2022).