(5) Reducing stigma surrounding mental health disorders in Nigerian adolescents: A pilot study on the efficacy of new mental health literacy curricula

     Stigma and discrimination of people with mental illness is a widespread problem in Nigeria. Recent efforts to reduce stigma and increase awareness of mental health issues have targeted young people as they are less... [ view full abstract ]

     Stigma and discrimination of people with mental illness is a widespread problem in Nigeria. Recent efforts to reduce stigma and increase awareness of mental health issues have targeted young people as they are less likely to access mental health services because of stigma. The African School Mental Health Curriculum is a well-established, comprehensive curriculum developed by The Guidance, Counseling and Youth Development Centre for Africa, as part of the Mental Health Integrated Innovation Programme. The overall aim of the study is to measure changes in knowledge, beliefs and attitudes of students who complete the curriculum over one academic semester, within two distinct academic settings (urban and rural). Partnering with local psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers at Elpis Mental Health and Research Initiative in Nigeria, teachers at two Nigerian secondary schools (urban and rural) were trained to implement the curriculum in their classrooms. Before students began the curricula, student participants (n=23) completed a brief questionnaire containing questions about their knowledge, beliefs and attitudes about mental illness. Preliminary results suggest that stigma against individuals with mental illness exists amongst Nigerian high school students. Data collection is ongoing, with participants completing a post-curricula questionnaire this summer, so this presentation will also discuss expected study endpoints, data analyses, and logistical considerations in study design and execution.