Our organization, Outsider Press, has the sole mission of publishing and marketing literary works by authors with a mental illness. We are a Michigan based company and are exclusively operated by the mentally ill. Outsider Press was incorporated in September of 2004 and as of May 5, 2005 we were granted 501(c) 3 tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. It is our intent to publish and promote literature written by the mentally ill that will counteract the negative images of the mentally ill portrayed frequently by the mass media. Numerous studies have shown that mass media’s negative portrayal of mentally ill persons directly affects the general public’s attitude and beliefs about people in their community who have a mental illness. These negative portrayals can result in prejudice and stigmatization. Educating the public regarding mental illness through accurate accounts is shown to help create more positive attitudes toward the mentally ill. .
