There is some evidence that people who have information about mental illness are less stigmatizing and more supportive of others who have mental health problems, Footnote 37 and a number of change strategies have been applied to enhance the mental health literacy of health professionals and of the public, with varying degrees of success. Footnote 38 Because of the public’s reluctance to associate common mental health problems with illness, educational and awareness campaigns appear to benefit from reducing the use of language linking common mental health problems with illness, and emphasizing prevalence and shared responsibility. Footnote 39 Educational initiatives that provide evidence-based information about which interventions work, how to help oneself, and how to help others, represent promising practices. Footnote 40
The most comprehensive national campaign to date is beyondblue: the national depression initiative in Australia, which involves multiple targeted initiatives:
Program evaluations show several positive outcomes. Footnote 41
Most of the research on stigma reduction pertains to serious mental illness and not to common mental health problems. Footnote 42 Direct experience with a person with a mental disorder has been shown to improve attitudes and reduce stigma, but is most effective if prolonged, under friendly conditions, and the parties are equal status. Footnote 43 Because contact is so powerful, it is important that consumers participate in de-stigmatization campaigns. Footnote 44
Collective empowerment is a key factor in health promotion. Footnote 45 Mental health consumer groups who come together for social action experience direct benefits of social support and mutual empowerment. Footnote 46 Advocacy for social and political change involves engaging politicians and policymakers for health reform and action on the broad social and economic determinants of mental health. These are especially pertinent issues for minorities, women, immigrant and refugee populations, and Aboriginal peoples. Footnote 47 Specific targets for advocacy include improving the quality and quantity mental health services, Footnote 48 and eliminating discrimination in the workplace, insurance industry, and housing. Footnote 49
Return to note 37 Penn and Couture, 2002; Jorm et al, 2007
Return to note 38 Paykel et al, 1997; Paykel et al, 1998; Rix et al, 1999; Moncrieff, 1999; Thompson et al, 2000; Hegerl et al, 2003;
Return to note 39 Walker and Read, 2002; Hegerl et al, 2003; Hickie, 2004
Return to note 40 Kitchener and Jorm, 2002; Jorm et al, 2003 Christensen et al, 2004;Kitchener and Jorm, 2004; Jorm et al, 2007
Return to note 41 Hickie, 2004; Pirkis, 2004
Return to note 42 Corrigan and Penn, 1999; Read and Law, 1999; Watson and Corrigan 2001; Wallach, 2004; Stuart, 2005; Corrigan et al, 2005
Return to note 43 Corrigan and Penn, 1999
Return to note 44 Read and Law, 1999
Return to note 45 WHO, 1998; Nutbeam, 2000; Ratzan, 2001
Return to note 46 Corrigan and Penn, 1999 Waring et al, 2000
Return to note 47 Kirmayer et al, 2000; Moldavsky, 2004
Return to note 48 Hickie, 2004; Gow and McGiven, 2004
Return to note 49 Corrigan et al, 2003; Stuart, 2005