title: Reducing mental health stigma: a case study.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a contact-based educational symposium designed to reduce mental health-related stigma in journalism students. Repeated surveys conducted before (n = 89) and again after the intervention (n = 53) were used to assess change. The estimated average response rate for each survey was 90%. The instrument, adapted from prior research, contained items pertaining to stereotypical content, attitudes toward social distance and feelings of social responsibility (Cronbach's alpha =.74). There was a statistically significant reduction in stigma (reflecting a 5% reduction in the aggregated scale score). A large, item-specific change was noted pertaining to attributions of dangerousness and unpredictability (reflecting a 26% improvement). The majority of students reported that the symposium had changed their views of people with a mental illness. Half of these students considered that they would change the way they would report stories involving someone with a mental illness. A potential unexpected negative side effect was that 14% fewer students reported post-test a willingness to go to a doctor if they experienced a mental illness. Though it is difficult to draw firm conclusions from an uncontrolled study, it would appear that this relatively brief, contact-based intervention changed journalism students' views of people with a mental illness. More controlled investigation is needed to rule out alternative explanations that could account for this change.
authors: PhD, is a full professor in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, at Queen's University, in Kingston, Ontario; the director of the Masters of Public Health Program; and senior consultant to the Mental Health Commission's Opening Minds program.
authors: Heather
authors: H
authors: Stuart
authors: PhD Candidate in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology at Queen's University, and research associate in the Mental Health Commission's Opening Minds Youth Evaluation Network.
authors: Michelle
authors: M
authors: Koller
authors: BA, is a former radio producer and the manager of the Mental Health Commission's Opening Minds program. Romie is based in Calgary, Alberta.
authors: Romie
authors: R
authors: Christie
authors: BAJ, is a former television producer and journalist and director of the Mental Health Commission's Opening Minds program. Mike is based in Calgary, Alberta.
authors: Mike
authors: M
authors: Pietrus
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004493:Education; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020452:Journalism; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D013240:Stereotyping; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult