Mental health-related stigma among healthcare students: Effects of an educational-intervention

Introduction

Stigma towards individuals with mental illness is a major public health problem and opposition to stigma has become a relevant goal for mental health stakeholders worldwide.

Aim

To examine the effectiveness of interventions designed to reduce mental illness stigma among healthcare students.

Methods

A pre-post study was conducted; healthcare students of the bachelor degrees in nursing, occupational therapy and dietetics of the University of Milan completed the Italian version of the Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Healthcare Providers (OMS-HC) before (T0) and after (T1) 2 months from a specific educational intervention.

Results

Seventy-three students were enrolled (89.02%). Before the educational intervention (T0), the median level of stigma was 21[18;24]; At baseline, stigma levels were significantly lower in subjects who reported clinical experience with mental health issues (p<0.001) and who had relatives/friends with psychiatric disorders (p = 0.021). After two months, OMS-HC scores were significantly lower in the whole sample (Me= 16[13–19] p = 0.01).

Discussion

This study suggests that a brief, tailored 2-hour intervention can positively influence the attitudes of nursing, occupational therapy and dietetics undergraduate students towards mental illness.

Implications for practice

Brief tailored educational interventions should be employed diffusely to reduce stigma towards mental health in bachelor degree students.