Mental Health Stigma Prevention: Pilot Testing a Novel, Language Arts Curriculum‐Based Approach for Youth

Abstract

BACKGROUND Researchers have emphasized the importance of integrating mental health education with academic curriculum. The focus of the current studies was Mental Health Matters (MHM), a mental health curriculum that is integrated with English language arts. It is taught by trained community member volunteers and aims to increase knowledge and decrease stigma toward individuals with mental health disorders. METHODS In Study 1, 142 sixth graders participated in MHM and completed pre‐ and postprogram measures of mental health knowledge, stigma, and program acceptability. Teachers also completed ratings of acceptability. Study 2 (N = 120 seventh graders) compared participants who had participated in MHM the previous year with those who had not using the same measures. RESULTS Sixth grade students and teachers rated the program as highly acceptable. Participants significantly increased their knowledge and decreased their levels of stigma. Seventh graders who had participated in MHM had significantly more mental health knowledge than peers who had not, but there were no differences in stigma. CONCLUSIONS The model appears to be acceptable to students and teachers. Future research is needed to assess the long‐term effectiveness of integrating mental health education with other academic curriculum such as language arts or science.

Evaluation of attitudes and knowledge toward mental disorders in a sample of the Chinese population using a web-based approach

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Climate Change and Schools: Environmental Hazards and Resiliency

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A psychoeducational mental health promotion intervention in a comprehensive schools: Recognising problems and reducing stigma

“…We found no significant changes in the level of stigmatising attitudes between the intervention and non-intervention groups. Weisman et al (2016) found that a mental health promotion programme using an English language arts curriculum decreased sixth graders’ perceived stigma towards individuals with mental health disorders. Reavley and Jorm (2011) found that stigmatising attitudes towards people with depression, anxiety disorders, and psychosis/schizophrenia differed according to the disorder; for example, social phobia was most likely to be seen as a sign of personal weakness than as a real medical condition.…”