Effects of an antistigma program on medical students' attitudes towards people with schizophrenia

People with schizophrenia are amongst the most stigmatized of those with mental illnesses. The purpose of this study was to examine whether an antistigma program which consists of education, contact, and viewing a film that depicts an individual with schizophrenia, can change attitudes towards people with schizophrenia. The antistigma program was carried out with first-year medical students (n=25). Students' attitudes towards people with schizophrenia were assessed before and after the program. In parallel, a control group of first-year medical students were questioned (n=35). Assessment was repeated after 1 month. Favorable attitudinal changes were observed in terms of 'belief about the etiology of schizophrenia', 'social distance to people with schizophrenia', and 'care and management of people with schizophrenia'. In contrast, no significant change was observed in the control group. Attitude changes tended to decrease at the 1-month follow up. These results suggest that attitudes towards schizophrenia could be changed favorably with this program. To sustain changed attitudes towards people with schizophrenia, antistigma programs should be offered on a regular basis.