Interventions to reduce discrimination and stigma: the state of the art

Abstract

BackgroundThere is a rich literature on the nature of mental health-related stigma and the processes by which it severely affects the life chances of people with mental health problems. However, applying this knowledge to deliver and evaluate interventions to reduce discrimination and stigma in a lasting way is a complex and long-term challenge.MethodsWe conducted a narrative synthesis of systematic reviews published since 2012, and supplemented this with papers published subsequently as examples of more recent work.ResultsThere is evidence for small to moderate positive impacts of both mass media campaigns and interventions for target groups in terms of stigma-related knowledge, attitudes, and intended behaviour in terms of desire for contact. However, the limited evidence from longer follow-up times suggests that it is not clear whether short-term contact interventions have a lasting impact.ConclusionsThe risk that short-term interventions may only have a short-term impact suggests a need to study longer term interventions and to use interim process and outcome data to improve interventions along the way. There is scope for more thorough application of intergroup contact theory whenever contact is used and of evidence-based teaching and assessment methods when skills training is used for target groups.

Exposure to a national multimedia Alzheimer's disease awareness campaign: Assessing stigmatic beliefs towards persons with the disease

“…Third, the media campaign used indirect contact with the person with AD as the strategy for change. While contact was found to be a better strategy than education or protest to reduce stigma, it should be noted that direct, face‐to‐face contact was found to be preferable to indirect, parasocial contact, such as the contact used through the media. Finally, the Israeli campaign presented a positive rather than negative framing which, as stated above, was found to be less effective than a negative frame hinting at death and deterioration…”

“…Interestingly, while many studies have reported on the impact of media campaigns on stigma associated with mental illness, only 2 previous studies have been published on a comparable topic in the area of AD. Wise, in a posttest‐only study conducted among 1689 adults after a campaign aimed at educating the public about AD, found that 53% reported they did not know enough about the disease, and 81% supported the statement that persons with dementia can still take part in normal activities.…”

“…First, comparable results were reported in the area of mental illness. Indeed, systematic reviews assessing the impact of media campaigns aimed at reducing stigma in regard to mental illness reported inconsistent and usually small to moderate effects . Second, similar to campaigns in the area of mental illness, the short campaign duration may explain the lack of effect on stigmatic beliefs.…”

“…Second, similar to campaigns in the area of mental illness, the short campaign duration may explain the lack of effect on stigmatic beliefs. Indeed, researchers in the area of mental illness suggest using long‐term campaigns to attain results in reducing stigma . Third, the media campaign used indirect contact with the person with AD as the strategy for change.…”

Associations of Perceived Discrimination With Impaired Functioning in a Population Sample With Psychological Distress

“…One of the core motivations for reducing discrimination against individuals with mental health problems is that discrimination constricts the range of social contexts in which they can fully participate (Gronholm, Henderson, Deb, & Thornicroft, 2017). Reducing such discrimination, it is hoped, would allow people with mental health problems to participate more fully and be more productive.…”