Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-fscjk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T18:46:26.516Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Are Social Networks Useful to Challenge Stigma Attached to Mental Disorders? Findings from the Time to Change Social Marketing Campaign 2009–2014

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 March 2020

G. Sampogna
Affiliation:
University of Naples SUN, Department of Psychiatry, Naples, Italy
C. Henderson
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry- Psychology and Neuroscience–King's College London, Health Services and Population Research Department, London, United Kingdom
G. Thornicroft
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry- Psychology and Neuroscience–King's College London, Health Services and Population Research Department, London, United Kingdom
S. Evans-Lacko
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry- Psychology and Neuroscience–King's College London, Health Services and Population Research Department, London, United Kingdom
I. Bakolis
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry- Psychology and Neuroscience–King's College London, Health Services and Population Research Department, London, United Kingdom
E. Robinson
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry- Psychology and Neuroscience–King's College London, Health Services and Population Research Department, London, United Kingdom
M. Luciano
Affiliation:
University of Naples SUN, Department of Psychiatry, Naples, Italy
V. Del Vecchio
Affiliation:
University of Naples SUN, Department of Psychiatry, Naples, Italy
A. Fiorillo
Affiliation:
University of Naples SUN, Department of Psychiatry, Naples, Italy

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.
Introduction

The new channels of communication as social media (e.g. Facebook and Twitter) and the social marketing campaign (i.e. campaign focused on enabling, encouraging and supporting behavioural changes among target audiences) can represent useful strategies to challenge stigma attached to mental disorders.

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy of the social marketing campaign of the time to change (SMC-TTC) anti-stigma programme on the target population in England during 2009–2014.

Aims

To assess the impact of the SMC-TTC anti-stigma programme in terms of:

– use of the social media channels;

– levels of awareness of the SMC-TTC;

– changes in knowledge, attitude, and behaviour related to mental disorders.

Methods

Participants completed the mental health knowledge schedule (MAKS), the community attitudes toward mental illness (CAMI) and the reported and intended behaviour scale (RIBS), together with an ad-hoc schedule on socio-demographic characteristics.

Results

In total, 10526 people were interviewed, it was found a growing usage of the SMC-TTC media channels and of the level of awareness of the campaign (P < 0.001). Being aware of the SMC-TTC was found to be associated with higher score at MAKS (OR = .95, CI = .68 to 1.21; P < .001), at “tolerance and support” CAMI subscale (OR = .12, CI = .09 to .16; P < .001) and RIBS (OR = .71, CI = .51 to .92; P < .001), controlling for confounders.

Discussion

In the general population, SMC-TTC has been found to be effective in improving attitudes and behaviours towards people with mental disorders.

Conclusions

Considering these promising results obtained in England, social media can represent the possible way forward for challenging stigma. The future on-going evaluation of the SMC-TTC may further shed light on the essential role of social media in reducing of stigma and discrimination.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Type
Oral communications: E-mental health; bipolar disorders; child and adolescent psychiatry; eating disorders; intellectual disability and women, gender and mental health
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2017
Submit a response

Comments

No Comments have been published for this article.