Effectiveness of Changing Minds campaign factsheets in reducing stigmatised attitudes towards mental illness

Abstract

Aims and MethodTo assess the effect of factsheets from the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Changing Minds campaign on stigmatised attitudes of members of the general public towards those with mental illness. Participants were recruited at random from a panel of over 1200 members of the general population and presented with questionnaires containing single-page factsheets adapted from the Changing Minds campaign describing schizophrenia or substance use disorders. The Attitudes to Mental Illness Questionnaire (AMIQ) was used to measure the effect on stigmatised attitudes.ResultsIn total 200 questionnaires were distributed; 158 completed questionnaires were received (response rate 79%). The AMIQ scores for the alcoholism and schizophrenia vignettes did not differ between experimental and control groups. Fidelity questions included in the questionnaire indicated that participants had read and understood the factsheets.Clinical ImplicationsDidactic factsheets produced for the Changing Minds campaign were largely ineffective at changing stigmatised attitudes towards schizophrenia and alcoholism.

Stigmatised attitudes towards intellectual disability: a randomised crossover trial

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“…Unfortunately, there have been reports that national antistigma campaigns are not particularly effective. [13][14][15] These reports discuss the disappointing results from the English Defeat Depression and Changing Minds campaigns and the (Scottish) See Me campaign.…”

Attitudes of undergraduates towards mental illness: A comparison between nursing and business management students in India

“…[9] However, persistent negative attitudes and the social rejection of people with mental illness have prevailed throughout history. [10] Studies show that people with mental illness face widespread stigmatisation, discrimination, violence, neglect and avoidance, and that negative attitudes towards them are widespread among the general public. [11][12][13][14][15] Lack of awareness about mental illness encourages discrimination and stigmatisation.…”