Introduction: The International Conference on Stigma (ISC) brings together more than 500 researchers, mental health professionals, policy makers and service users interested in stigma and discrimination, to discuss effective interventions to reduce stigma and discrimination against them. people with mental illness (Mental Health Commission of Canada, 2012.) According to the report released at the 5th Annual International Conference on Stigma, mental illness is a universal problem. The stigma associated with it prevents two-thirds of people with mental illness from seeking help. Stigma refers to negative attitudes toward people with mental illness, and the resulting negative behaviors constitute a major barrier that prevents individuals from seeking help and, often, prevents help from being readily available. Stigma can limit people's employment, housing and educational opportunities, isolating them from friends and family who could otherwise provide crucial support. It is often internalized by people with mental illness, which further isolates them (Mental Health Commission of Canada, 2012). The consumer/survivor/former patient (C/S/X) movement focuses on identity politics, which refers to political arguments that focus on the self-interest and perspectives of social minorities or social interest groups self-identified (Chamberlain, 1990). Not all members of a given group are necessarily involved in identity politics. C/S/X in particular is a diverse organization of individuals who currently access mental health services (called consumers), or who consider themselves survivors of psychiatric interventions, or who identify as former mental health patients. services (Chamberlain, 1990.) Chamberlin defines...... middle of article ......the quality of psychiatric care. Eval Rev June. 21(3)p. 357-36 doi: 10.1177/0193841X9702100310 Chamberlin,J. (1990) The Ex-Patient Movement: Where We Have Been and Where We Are Going - National Empowerment Center. The Journal of Mind and Behavior. 11(3) . 323-336 Chamberlin, J. (2005). Involvement of users/consumers in the provision of mental health services. Epidemiologia e Psichiatria Sociale, 14(01), 10-14. Corrigan, PW, River, LP, Lundin, RK, Penn, DL, Uphoff-Wasowski, K., Campion, J., & Kubiak, MA (2001). Three strategies for changing attributions about serious mental illness. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 27(2), 187.CRCT. About the CRCT. Community Resource Connections Toronto. Retrieved from http://www.crct.org/about/mission.cfm. accessed January 24, 2014 Finkler, L. (2009). Mad Pride: A movement for social change. Consumer/Survivor Newsletter, 398, 2-3.