Negative stereotypes cause harm

Re: “Mentally ill people can lead productive lives,” letter, July 21.

Of course some people with mental illness can lead productive lives. Not all mental illnesses are the same, just as not all physical illnesses are the same; nor do they respond equally to the treatments available today. It is ridiculous to make blanket judgments about such a large and diverse group of people.

The same applies to the homeless. There is nothing shameful about not being able to afford today’s sky-high rents: that in itself does not make people thieves, or arsonists, or rapists, as one might infer from the hew and cry about homeless tenters in Beacon Hill Park.

All people facing difficulties can lead more productive lives if they are not the targets of negative stereotypes.

Yvonne Parti Victoria