Objective.

To understand the concept of mental illness and psychosocial disability, analyzing stigma and exclusion as substantive aspects that make up this type of disability.

Materials and Methods.

Descriptive, qualitative study for which an open structured interview and a survey of 51 people were applied in two phases: 20 professionals of the human, social and health sciences and 31 psychology students residing in the city of Ibagué.

Results.

Both, from the perspective of students and professionals, consider that mental illness and its approach are referred to the postulates of the traditional medical model. There is a lack of knowledge about psychosocial disability, as well as of the differentiating and articulating aspects with mental illness. The participants report that both mental illness and any type of disability are surrounded by prejudices and stereotypes that exclude and therefore discriminate.

Conclusion.

Professionals and students show a lack of information, training and awareness on the subject so that mental illness and psychosocial disability are two terms little related in the context of research. The medical model/social model articulation is urgent in the approach to the subject, giving relevance to the role that the context plays in the subject/society relationship from the rights approach.

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