title: Contact in the Classroom: Developing a Program Model for Youth Mental Health Contact-Based Anti-stigma Education.
abstract: This study evaluated eighteen Canadian anti-stigma programs targeting high-school students. The purpose was to identify critical domains and develop a program model of contact-based interventions. Three steps were implemented. The first step involved collecting program information through twenty in-depth interviews with stakeholders and field observations of seven programs. The second step involved constructing critical ingredients into domains for conceptual clarity and component modeling. The third step involved validating the program model by stakeholders review and initial fidelity testing with program outcomes. A program model with an overarching theme "engaging contact reduces stigma" and three underlying constructs (speakers, message, and interaction) were developed. Within each construct three specific domains were identified to explain the concepts. Connection, engagement, and empowerment are critical domains of anti-stigma programs for the youth population. Findings from this study have built on the scientific knowledge about the change theory underpinning youth contact-based intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G2G4, Canada. shuping2@ualberta.ca.
authors.forename: Shu-Ping
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koller
authors.affiliation: School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada.
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Krupa
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stuart
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002170:Canada; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008603:Mental Health / Q000193:education*; D017145:Models, Educational; D011287:Prejudice / Q000517:prevention & control; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012572:School Health Services; D057545:Social Stigma; D013240:Stereotyping
keywords: Adolescents; Contact-based education; Mental illness; Stigma reduction; Youth culture