Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the public perception of mentally ill people, stigma of the mentally ill and distance towards them in Poland.
Methods: The study group was composed of 1,309 respondents who were interviewed using an authors' own survey, which was spread with the use of online media.
Results: The results indicate a high level of stigma of psychiatric patients in the subjective assessment of their appearance, intellect as well as respondents' sense of superiority over the patients. The stigma of a psychiatric patient is also resolutely demonstrated in the economic aspect, which results from respondents' unwillingness to employ, or even work with people affected by a disorder from the mental illness group.
Conclusions: Undoubtedly, the fight against the phenomenon of stigma and discrimination against people affected by mental health problems is becoming one of the priorities in the field of mental health.
Keywords: mental disorders; social discrimination; stigma.