Can participatory video reduce mental illness stigma? Results from a Canadian action-research study of feasibility and impact

Abstract

Background: Evidence suggests that stigma against people with mental illness remains high. This demands innovative approaches to reduce stigma. One innovative stigma reduction method is participatory video (PV), whereby marginalized people come together to script, film and produce bottom-up educational videos about shared issues. These videos are then shown to target groups. This paper has two objectives (i) to examine the feasibility of using participatory video with people with severe mental illness (SMI); and (ii) to assess viewer impressions of the resultant videos and subsequent subjective impact. Methods: We conducted a participatory action research study with three workgroups of people with severe mental illness situated in different Canadian cities, who set out to create and disseminate locally-grounded mental-health themed videos. This involved process and outcome evaluation to assess feasibility and impact. Specifically, we (i) observed fidelity to a co-designed action-plan in all three workgroups; (ii) distributed brief purpose-built questionnaires to viewers at organized screenings to assess preliminary impact; and (iii) conducted focus groups with viewers to elicit further impressions of the videos and subsequent subjective impact. Results: The three workgroups achieved high-fidelity to the action-plan. They successfully produced a total of 26 videos, over double the targeted number, during an 18-month period. Likewise, the workgroups organized 49 screenings at a range of venues attended by 1542 people, again exceeding the action-plan targets. Results from the viewer questionnaires (N = 1104, response rate 72%) indicated that viewers reported that their understandings had improved after watching the videos. Four themes emerged from six viewer focus groups (N = 30), with participants frequently noting that videos were (i) educational and informative; (ii) real and relatable; (iii) attention-grabbing; and (iv) change-inducing. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this study is the first large-scale multi-site project examining the feasibility and impact of a participatory video program for people with severe mental illness. The results indicate that participatory video is a feasible method in this population and gives preliminary evidence that resultant videos can reduce viewer stigma. Thus, participatory video should be considered a promising practice in the ongoing effort to reduce mental illness stigma.

Participatory video: A non-formal education tool for adult educators

“…In general, the PV was seen as an effective learning tool to activate participants, including people with special needs by adult educators, which is consistent with the results of several case studies (Fedeli, 2020;Fedeli, 2019a;2019b;Whitley et al, 2020).…”

“…Unfortunately, there is limited research on this subject in the literature. Whitley et al (2020) researched to examine the feasibility of using PV with people with severe mental illness. According to their study, using PV with people with mental illness is an effective anti-stigma intervention, and the videos and screenings affect viewers positively and could be an effective means of reducing stigma.…”

An evaluation of the quality of online perinatal depression information

“…To improve understandability, websites can include summaries of key information and visual aids. The lack of visual materials is problematic, as videos may be an effective means of destigmatizing mental illness [ 44 , 45 ]. As well, women may prefer greater visual aids when learning about postpartum depression [ 46 ].…”

Digital video interventions and mental health literacy among young people: a scoping review

“…Digital storytelling is a powerful process for co-creation, as it allows marginalized people to script, film, and produce videos of their own stories with support from an experienced facilitator (Whitley et al, 2020). Digital storytelling has been found to be an effective approach to help the storytellers to process their mental health issues (De Vecchi et al, 2016).…”

“…However, the current review found no empirical research examining if digital stories can improve the mental health literacy of the viewers, specifically of young people. The recent study by Whitley et al (2020) is the first of its kind to investigate the effect of digital stories created by people with severe mental illness on stigma in viewers, and they found that such digital stories had a positive impact on the viewers' attitudes. Although this study was not included in the current review as the age of the viewers did not meet our inclusion criteria, the results of the study show a great potential of digital stories as an intervention to improve the mental health literacy of the viewers, including young people.…”