Reference: Wahl, O. F., Susin, J., Kaplan, L., Lax, A., & Zatina, D. (2019). Changing Knowledge and Attitudes with a Middle School Mental Health Education Curriculum. Stigma R esearch and A ction , 1 (1), 44 – 53. https://doi.org/10.5463/sra.v1i1.17 Can middle school students change t heir understanding and attitudes about mental illness? Researchers tested 193 students from 4 schools in a popular mental health education program called, “Breaking the Silence.” Students completed questionnaires about their knowledge, attitudes, and wil lingness to interact with people with mental illnesses before, right after, and six weeks after the program. Half of students participated in the educational program; the other half continued with regular classes. Results? Students who took part in the Breaking the Silence program showed improved understanding, reduced inaccurate beliefs, ‘stigma,’ and attitudes about mental illness and became more willing to interact with people with mental illnesses. Students who did not take the program showed no changes. This means the educational program effectively improved middle school students' understandin g and attitudes about mental illness . Schools, teachers, parents, and mental health providers! C onsider implementing easy and effective ways to enhance understanding , compassion for, and acceptance of people with mental illness. Introducing Breaking the Silence curriculum during childhood and adolescence may help prevent bullying, negative attitudes and misunderstandings about mental illness among peers and in adulthood.

Written by Kristin M . Harris, Ph.D.