Knowledge, Attitude, and Stigma Among Adolescents: Effect of Mental Health Awareness and Destigmatisation (MHAD) Program.

Background: Stigma against mental health problems is a common issue for adolescents aged 14-18 years. However, comprehensive programs that simultaneously address awareness and stigma reduction tailored to the specific needs of this age group are lacking.

Method: This study investigated the effectiveness of the Mental Health Awareness and Destigmatisation Program (MHAD) in reducing stigma and improving knowledge and attitudes towards peers with mental health problems. A quasi-experimental pre-post design was employed among adolescents aged 14-18 years from an educational institution in Bangalore. After excluding those with high baseline mental health symptoms (PSC-17 > 20), a preassessment was conducted on adolescents' knowledge, attitude, and stigma (n = 52) using the Mental Health Knowledge Schedule, Self-structured Case Vignettes, and Peer Mental Health Stigmatization Scale. After completing the 6-week program, three participants were excluded from the post-assessment, as their attendance was less than 50%. A total of 49 (mean age = 16 years) adolescents were included in the post-assessment.

Results: The paired sample t-test revealed significant improvements in all stigma scores. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test indicated a significant improvement in Recognition of Mental Illness scores.

Conclusion: Findings showed that MHAD, an education-based program, was effective in reducing adolescents' stigma towards peers with mental health problems and improving their overall recognition of mental health symptoms. Research across larger adolescent populations is essential to enhance these interventions' long-term impact and sustainability. By closely monitoring and expanding research efforts, we can gain deeper insights into how these programs foster self-awareness, a crucial factor in recognizing mental health needs, challenging stigma, and promoting help-seeking behaviors among adolescents.