Self-Stigma of Mental Illness in High School Youth

Abstract

Despite the prevalence of mental health problems, society continues to stigmatize and discriminate against people with mental illness and in particular, schizophrenia. Among the negative consequences of stigma, is that some individuals with mental illness internalize negative stereotypes about themselves, referred to as self-stigma, which is associated with a reluctance to seek needed treatment. The challenge to overcome mental illness stigma has led to the development of global anti-stigma initiatives, which effectively engage young people in school-based programs. The present study examines the effectiveness of a single-session anti-stigma intervention with high school youth (n = 254). The findings replicate and extend previous work demonstrating that a brief anti-stigma initiative can produce significant improvements in knowledge, social distance, and self-stigma. Self-stigma was found to be associated with low self-esteem and factors affecting self-disclosure were identified. Implications for school curricula, mental health policy, and future research are discussed. RésuméMalgré la prévalence de problèmes de santé mentale, la société continue à stigmatiser et à discriminer les personnes atteintes de maladie mentale et, en particulier, de schizophrénie. Une des conséquences négatives de la stigmatisation est l'internalisation par les personnes atteintes de maladie mentale des stéréotypes négatifs sur euxmêmes, connus sous le nom d'auto-stigmatisation, qui a été associé à une certaine réticence à demander l'aide médicale nécessaire. Le défi à surmonter la stigmatisation envers la maladie mentale a mené à l'élaboration d'initiatives sur la lutte mondiale contre la stigmatisation, ce qui a eu pour effet d'engager les jeunes par l'entremise

An evaluation of participation in a schools-based youth mental health peer education training programme

“…The observed improvement in participants' knowledge accords with other research, which has demonstrated that peer education training can lead to positive changes in peer educators' knowledge about particular health behaviours (Badura et al, 2000;Haignere et al, 1997). These results are encouraging given self-stigma has been shown to be a key obstacle to seeking help for mental health concerns among young people in the general population and that many young people do not have appropriate mental health knowledge (Dooley & Fitzgerald, 2012;Gulliver et al, 2010;Hartman et al, 2013;Rose et al, Downloaded by [University of Lethbridge] at 11:07 11 June 2016youngMinds, 2010). Thus, peer-based approaches to mental health promotion may be an effective way of engaging young people in conversations about mental health and changing their beliefs about help-seeking.…”

“…Unfortunately, research has shown many young people have a lack of knowledge about mental health and this can negatively stigmatize mental health (Rose, Thornicroft, Pinfold, & Kassam, 2007;youngMinds, 2010). Furthermore, studies have indicated that negative beliefs about seeking help for mental health concerns is a key barrier to accessing support among young people from the general population (Gulliver, Griffiths, & Christensen, 2010;Hartman et al, 2013). It is important to address these beliefs, as research has indicated that young people who share their problems have lower levels of psychological distress (Dooley & Fitzgerald, 2012).…”

The Subtle Side of Stigma: Understanding and Reducing Mental Illness Stigma from a Contemporary Prejudice Perspective

“…Participants also completed two scales that assess constructs known to be associated with reduced self‐reported mental illness stigma, including familiarity with mental illness (Couture & Penn, ; Holmes, Corrigan, Williams, Canar, & Kubiak, ) and social desirability bias (e.g., Hartman et al., ; Stier & Hinshaw, ).…”

Self‐stigma and domains of well‐being in high school youth: Associations with self‐efficacy, self‐esteem, and self‐criticism

“…A comprehensive investigation of the prevalence of self‐stigma among adolescents has yet to be conducted, and it is arguably the case that the relevance of self‐stigma among students struggling with mental health problems remains underappreciated and underrecognized. An initial study found that at least one in eight high school students scored in the range of those who report self‐stigma about seeking help for mental health concerns (Hartman et al, ). Hartman et al () examined whether a single session could lower stigma and self‐stigma in high school youth ranging from grades 9 through 12.…”

“…An initial study found that at least one in eight high school students scored in the range of those who report self‐stigma about seeking help for mental health concerns (Hartman et al, ). Hartman et al () examined whether a single session could lower stigma and self‐stigma in high school youth ranging from grades 9 through 12. They were shown an interactive presentation on the topic of mental illness, including an autobiographical talk by a woman with schizophrenia.…”