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. 2020 Sep;91(3):887-903.
doi: 10.1007/s11126-020-09751-4.

Interventions to Reduce Stigma Related to Mental Illnesses in Educational Institutes: a Systematic Review

Ahmed Waqas  1 , Salma Malik  2 , Ania Fida  3 , Noureen Abbas  4 , Nadeem Mian  5 , Sannihitha Miryala  6 , Afshan Naz Amray  7 , Zunairah Shah  8 , Sadiq Naveed  9
Affiliations

Interventions to Reduce Stigma Related to Mental Illnesses in Educational Institutes: a Systematic Review

Ahmed Waqas et al. Psychiatr Q. 2020 Sep.

Abstract

This investigation reviews the effectiveness of anti-stigma interventions employed at educational institutes; to improve knowledge, attitude and beliefs regarding mental health disorders among students. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) checklist guidelines were followed and protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42018114535). Forty four randomized controlled trials were considered eligible after screening of 104 full-text articles against inclusion and exclusion criteria.Several interventions have been employed to tackle stigma toward psychiatric illnesses, including education through lectures and case scenarios, contact-based interventions, and role-plays as strategies to address stigma towards mental illnesses. A high proportion of trials noted that there was a significant improvement for stigma (19/25, 76%), attitude (8/11, 72%), helping-seeking (8/11, 72%), knowledge of mental health including recognition of depression (11/14, 78%), and social distance (4/7, 57%). These interventions also helped in reducing both public and self-stigma. Majority of the studies showed that the anti-stigma interventions were successful in improving mental health literacy, attitude and beliefs towards mental health illnesses.

Keywords: Anxiety; Autism; Depression; Institutions; Interventions; Mental health; Psychosis; Stigma.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA Flow Diagram
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Risk of Bias Graph
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Mental health conditions targeted in stigma reduction interventions
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Summary of strategies employed in stigma reduction interventions
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Proportion of studies demonstrating reduction in stigma related outcomes
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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