Study on Mental Health-related Stigma

Mental disorders are currently among the main causes of disability worldwide. For this reason, various national and international organisations include the promotion of mental health among their strategic actions, with special emphasis on the fight against stigma. Evidence shows that stigma has a negative impact on the process of recovery and participation of people with mental disorders.

The general aim of this study is to find out about the attitudes of university students at the University of A Coruña towards people with mental disorders and specifically to intervene with students of the Bachelor's Degree in Occupational Therapy to assess whether taking part in a Mental Health Literacy Programme changes these attitudes.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in developing and evaluating anti-stigma plans in the field of mental health. However, stigmatising, coercive or paternalistic attitudes persist in society and have a negative impact on the recovery process of people with mental illness.

The Mental Health Spain Confederation proposes tackling stigma through intersectional mental health literacy interventions that incorporate the gender perspective and are focused on the needs identified by people with mental disorders.

The New Mental Health Strategy of the National Health System (2021-2026) establishes the need to involve people and their families, as well as the different social agents in the fight against stigma, especially social and health professionals, as well as the media and educational personnel. The aim of this study is to understand the nature of stigma towards people with mental disorders. In order to do so, it is necessary to take into consideration the experiences and experiences of the people themselves in order to develop plans to promote mental health from a participatory and comprehensive perspective. Likewise, it is considered relevant to know the perceptions of future professionals from different areas of knowledge (students of the University of A Coruña), evaluating their attitudes and beliefs regarding mental health. Finally, the aim is to evaluate the impact of incorporating a specific module on mental health and stigmatisation. a specific module on mental health and stigma in the university curriculum of the students of the Occupational Therapy Degree.

This research has the following objectives: (1) find out the perception of people with mental disorders in relation to the social stigma of citizens and Health Science professionals; (2) find out how university students perceive people with mental health problems, and (3) evaluate the impact of incorporating a specific module on mental health and stigma in the university curriculum, specifically in the Bachelor's Degree in Occupational Therapy.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria Group I:

* Be graduated at Occupational Therapy Degree at the University of A Coruña

Exclusion Criteria Group I:

* Have difficulties in understanding and/or communication
* Not being enrolled in the Mental Health module of the Degree in Occupational Therapy

Inclusion Criteria Group II:

* Student in the University of A Coruña

Exclusion Criteria Group II:

* Have difficulties in understanding and/or communication

Inclusion Criteria Group III:

* Have a mental disorder \[according to the Diagnostic Manual Diagnostic Manual\]
* Be a user of the Psychosocial and Labor Rehabilitation Centers of the Health Area of A Coruña

Exclusion Criteria Group III:

* Have difficulties in understanding and/or communication
* Be in a situation of legal incapacity.