SAGE Journal Articles

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Learning Objectives: 13-6: Explain the impact of stigma and the costs of mental illness in the United States today.

Maranzan, K. A. (2016). Addressing mental illness stigma in the psychology classroom. Psychology Learning & Teaching. doi:10.1177/1475725716666804

Description: A number of initiatives are aimed at reducing mental illness stigma, yet stigma remains a problem in the general population. A focus on stigma reduction with students is particularly relevant, as students often hold negative attitudes toward mental illness, have regular contact with persons experiencing mental health difficulties, and because stigma influences students’ own help-seeking attitudes and behaviors. The psychology classroom presents an ideal opportunity to address stigma, since many courses include mental health-related topics and are taken by large numbers of students from diverse fields. This paper undertook a review of the published literature to determine the extent that knowledge and/or contact-based strategies to address stigma were implemented in the psychology classroom; successful interventions are described and contextualized within the larger stigma reduction literature. Recommendations for instructors who are interested in integrating an anti-stigma approach in their classroom include (1) consider a social contact-based approach, (2) look locally for resources, (3) be familiar with optimal conditions for contact, and (4) evaluate your outcomes.

Questions to Consider:

1.  The article mentions a psychologist who argues that the mentally ill are the only group in modern-day America where it is still “socially acceptable to stigmatize, discriminate, and exclude”.  Why do you think this is so?

2.  The article makes recommendations for ways to integrate an anti-stigma approach in the classroom.  Which of the below is NOT one of those recommendations?

  1. consider a social contact-based approach
  2. look locally for resources
  3. be familiar with optimal conditions for contact
  4. have students keep a journal reflecting on mental illness (Correct answer)
  5. Of the strategies for an anti-stigma approach, which is the most powerful according to the article?
  6. consider a social contact-based approach (Correct answer)
  7. look locally for resources
  8. be familiar with optimal conditions for contact
  9. have students keep a journal reflecting on mental illness