Mental Health Stigma Prevention: Pilot Testing A Novel, Language Arts Curriculum-Based Approach For Youth

Keywords

child and adolescent health; curriculum; mental health; school health instruction; stigma

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Researchers have emphasized the importance of integrating mental health education with academic curriculum. The focus of the current studies was Mental Health Matters (MHM), a mental health curriculum that is integrated with English language arts. It is taught by trained community member volunteers and aims to increase knowledge and decrease stigma toward individuals with mental health disorders. METHODS: In Study 1, 142 sixth graders participated in MHM and completed pre- and postprogram measures of mental health knowledge, stigma, and program acceptability. Teachers also completed ratings of acceptability. Study 2 (N = 120 seventh graders) compared participants who had participated in MHM the previous year with those who had not using the same measures. RESULTS: Sixth grade students and teachers rated the program as highly acceptable. Participants significantly increased their knowledge and decreased their levels of stigma. Seventh graders who had participated in MHM had significantly more mental health knowledge than peers who had not, but there were no differences in stigma. CONCLUSIONS: The model appears to be acceptable to students and teachers. Future research is needed to assess the long-term effectiveness of integrating mental health education with other academic curriculum such as language arts or science.

Publication Date

10-1-2016

Publication Title

Journal of School Health

Volume

86

Issue

10

Number of Pages

709-716

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.12427

Socpus ID

84986877542 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84986877542

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