This issue of People First examines the fight against prejudice directed toward people with mental illness. To read the issue, click here.
Changing Knowledge and Attitudes with a Middle School Mental Health Education Curriculum
This research tested the effectiveness of a widely used mental health education curriculum in changing knowledge and attitudes about mental illness.
Knowledge and Attitudes About Mental Illness: A Survey of Middle School Students
Despite the many studies of public attitudes toward mental illnesses, relatively few have examined the views of the youngest generation of citizens. This study was intended to increase understanding of youths' views of mental illness by developing and administering measures of knowledge and attitudes of middle school students toward mental illnesses.
http://ps.psychiatryonline.org/article.aspx?articleid=1103905
PPT: Making Your Voice Heard: Communicating Your Message Through the Media
Finding the Opportunity in Crisis: How Do We Fight Stigma in the Media?
When written in Chinese, the word “crisis” is composed of two characters: one represents danger; the other represents opportunity. In the wake of the crisis created by the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, there is an opportunity to counter the myths about the association between mental health conditions and violence, and to become engaged in the national debate on the need for gun control. This keynote presentation will describe some effective methods of communicating to the media, and issue a call to action.
Minds on the Edge: Facing Mental Illness
A multi-platform media project that explores severe mental illness in America. Includes full length television program, originally aired on PBS in 2009 and a project toolkit to foster discussion about mental illness in your group or community.
The Mental Illness Education Project
The Mental Illness Education Project produces and distributes video-based education programs and related materials. "A non-profit organization, we are committed to helping people deal
with the often devastating effects of serious mental illness."
http://www.miepvideos.org/
Active Minds
Active Minds is an organization working to raise awareness of mental health alternatives on college campuses. "By developing and supporting chapters of a student-run mental health awareness, education, and advocacy group on campuses, the organization works to increase students’ awareness of mental health issues, provide information and resources regarding mental health and mental illness, encourage students to seek help as soon as it is needed, and serve as liaison between students and the mental health community."
NAMI StigmaBusters
StigmaBusters is a program of the National Alliance of the Mentally Ill is a "network of dedicated advocates across the country and around the world who seek to fight inaccurate and hurtful representations of mental illness."
Access anti-stigma tool "In Our Own Voice", learn how to become a StigmaBuster, and other news and resources.
Facts about Stigma and Mental Illness in Diverse Communities
Fact sheet from the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill that defines stigma and discusses its impact on diverse communities.
http://www.nami.org/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm?ContentFileID=5148
Challenging Stereotypes: An Action Guide
This 35-page SAMHSA publication "...Encourages people to challenge prejudices and work to eliminate the stigma and discrimination toward people with mental illness through letter writing to advertising, entertainment, and mainstream media that ridicule or misrepresent mental illness."
Pub id: SMA01-3513
Publication Date: 1/2001
http://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content//SMA01-3513/SMA01-3513.pdf
The ADS Center
SAMHSA's Resource Center to Promote Acceptance, Dignity, and Social Inclusion Associated with Mental Health (ADS Center) "...enhances acceptance and social inclusion by ensuring that people with mental health problems can live full, productive lives within communities without fear of prejudice and discrimination. We provide information and assistance to develop successful efforts to counteract prejudice and discrimination and promote social inclusion.
What A Difference A Friend Makes
SAMHSA website designed for people aged 18 to 25 who live with mental illness--and their friends. Contains information, tools, and other resources.