Summarizing mental health research conducted by sociologists over the last 30 years, "A Sociology of Mental Illness" provides a consistent narrative that emphasizes how social statuses and social roles affect mental health. The mental health treatment system and the public's reaction to mental illness are also comprehensively discussed. Topics include social causes and consequences of mental illness; social statuses, such as gender, socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, age, and community; deviant behavior; and the challenges of community mental health. For those in the fields of sociology, psychology, nursing, and social workers.