Reducing psychiatric stigma and discrimination: evaluation of educational interventions in UK secondary schools

TLDR

Psychiatric stigma remains persistent and disabling, prompting global programs to challenge stereotypes, yet these initiatives are rarely evaluated. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a mental‑health literacy intervention for secondary school students in reducing negative stereotypes of severe mental illness. Four hundred seventy‑two students attended two workshops and completed pre‑ and post‑questionnaires measuring knowledge, attitudes and behavioural intentions. Students used 270 words, most derogatory, but post‑workshop positive attitude scores increased from 1.2 to 2.8 at one week and 2.3 at six months, particularly among females and those with personal contact, demonstrating that brief workshops can improve attitudes toward people with mental health problems.

Abstract

Background The persistent and disabling nature of psychiatric stigma has led to the establishment of global programmes to challenge the negative stereotypes and discriminatory responses that generate social disability but these initiatives are rarely evaluated. Aims To assess the effectiveness of an intervention with young people aimed at increasing mental health literacy and challenging negative stereotypes associated with severe mental illness. Method A total of 472 secondary school students attended two mental health awareness workshops and completed pre- and post-questionnaires detailing knowledge, attitudes and behavioural intentions. Results Young people use an extensive vocabulary of 270 different words and phrases to describe people with mental health problems: most were derogatory terms. Mean positive attitude scores rose significantly from 1.2 at baseline to 2.8 at 1-week follow-up and 2.3 at a 6-month follow-up. Changes were most marked for female students and those reporting personal contact with people with mental illness. Conclusions Short educational workshops can produce positive changes in participants' reported attitudes towards people with mental health problems.