Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Degree

Master of Arts

Program

Psychology

Supervisor

Rodger, Susan

Abstract

This research examined whether a mental health literacy course for preservice teachers reduced mental health stigma and whether there were any meaningful differences in stigma based on gender, BEd program, previous degree, and previous learning about mental health. Preservice teachers from X University participated in a mental health literacy course for ten weeks, which involved education about various topics related to mental health. The teachers were asked to complete a pre-test (N=263) at the start of the course, which included an Opening Minds Stigma Scale (Modgill, Patten, Knaak, Kassam, & Szeto, 2014), measuring mental health stigma. Similarly, the teachers were asked to complete the same measure at the completion of the course (N=256). The teachers’ pre- and post-test scores on the scale were compared to measure changes in stigma. The findings demonstrated an overall decrease in stigma across teachers at the completion of the course. Moreover, the results showed differences in stigma based on gender, BEd program, previous degree, and previous learning about mental health. Findings from this research have both theoretical and practical implications and are important for teacher education and counsellors.

Keywords: stigma, preservice teachers, mental health course, mental health literacy

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