STOMPING OUT STIGMA SUMMIT CONFERENCES DURHAM TALKING ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS COALITION

DURHAM T.A.M.I. COALITION MEMBERSHIP  SPEAKER BUREAU  WHITBY MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE  C.M.H.A. DURHAM  MOOD DISORDERS ASSOCIATION DURHAM  DURHAM DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD  DURHAM CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD  THE YOUTH CENTRE  PINEWOOD CENTRE OF LAKERIDGE HEALTH  DURHAM FAMILY COURT CLINIC  DURHAM MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES  COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS

T.A.M.I. COALITION Objectives:  Fostering a more positive attitude towards mental illness  Providing teachers with practical, ready-to-use information on mental illness to assist with curriculum- based education  Offering teachers and students an opportunity to meet with people who have experienced mental illness first- hand  Providing links to community resources and support for further information and professional help  Providing opportunities for people living with mental health issues to participate in an anti-stigma awareness campaign.

Current State of Global Mental Health Concern “The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that mental illness represents 10% of the global burden of disease, and that depression will be one of the largest worldwide health concerns by 2020.” (Hermann, 2001)

Mental Health Statistics for Ontario Adolescents  1 in 10 students report low self-esteem  5% are at high risk of depression  almost 30% of students report an elevated level of psychological distress  13% of students report visiting a health professional for mental health reasons during the past 12 months  31% of year olds have experienced a mental health problem ( Adlaf, E.M. and Paglia, A. (2001). The Mental Health and Well-Being of Ontario Students: Findings from the OSDUS CAMH Research Document Series No.7. Toronto: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.)

The Importance of Reaching Adolescents  Over 20% of youth will experience some type of emotional trauma or mental illness, yet 80% will not seek help due to the negative stigma associated with mental illness  It is during adolescent social development that the foundations are laid for adult attitudes and beliefs about mental health. It is one of the best openings to prevent the development of prejudicial stigma which can lead to social injustice

What the “S.O.S.” Summit Conference Offers:  An opportunity for students and school staff from across Durham Region to come together (at the local mental health facility) to learn about mental illness and explore the impact of associated stigma, which participants then bring back to share with the student body at their respective schools

“S.O.S.” SUMMIT Conference Results:  Summit Conference participants show a dramatic increase in knowledge about mental illness, and more positive attitudes towards those living with a mental illness and the associated stigma  Many schools who participated have since run anti-stigma education initiatives at their schools

The Importance of Personal Experience and Contact  Research has found that personal contact with persons living with mental health issues is the most influential factor for changing public attitudes towards people with mental health problems (Angermeyer & Matchsinger, 1996; Corrigan et al., Penn et al., Read & Law, 1999)  Summit participants hear the life stories of four consumers living with mental illness, followed by an interactive question/ answer and discussion period

STOMPING OUT STIGMA: LEARNING FROM THE SPEAKERS

How the Summit Conference Affects Positive Change  Hearing stories of living with mental illness and interacting with consumers  Full-day visit to Whitby Mental Health Centre (visiting a mental health facility has been shown to improve attitudes)  Interactive and experiential learning opportunities (shown to have a longer-lasting impact than textbook education alone)  Networking opportunities amongst local high school students and staff

Student Summit Feedback  “ I think it was an amazing experience and should be held more often for all age groups.”  “It was a very rewarding and educational experience that everyone should have a chance to have.”

Implications from our Research:  The success of the Summit Conference format provides a promising basis for the development of an empirically validated TAMI model, which could be implemented far beyond the borders of Durham Region “The question of ‘what works’ to reduce the stigma of mental illness, is a question of global concern requiring further investigation.” (Pinfold et al., 2005) “It is important to put to use those anti-stigma programs that have been empirically validated so that limited resources may be used wisely.” (Wood & Wahl, 2006)