Related Experiment Videos
Reducing Public Stigma Toward Suicide-Loss Survivors Through Brief Video Interventions: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Yossi Levi-Belz1,2, Chana T Fisch3,4, Amsalem Doron3,4
1The Lior Tsfaty Center for Suicide and Mental Pain Studies, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel, haifa.ac.il.
Depression and Anxiety
|July 22, 2026
Summary
Brief videos featuring suicide-loss survivors significantly reduced public stigma and improved attitudes toward survivors. These positive changes were sustained for at least 30 days, offering a scalable intervention.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Media Studies
Background:
- Suicide-loss survivors (SLSs) face significant psychological distress and public stigma.
- Scalable interventions are needed to shift population-level attitudes toward SLSs.
- Public stigma can impede the recovery and support networks for SLSs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of brief survivor-narrative videos in reducing public stigma associated with SLSs.
- To assess the impact of narrative videos on public perceptions and trait impressions of SLSs.
- To determine the durability of attitude shifts following exposure to survivor narratives.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 1351 adults aged 18-50.
- Participants were assigned to view either a brief SLS narrative video or a psychoeducational control video.
- Public stigma and trait impressions were measured at baseline and postexposure.
Main Results:
- The SLS video group demonstrated immediate and 30-day improvements in lower stigma scores and more favorable trait impressions compared to the control group.
- Significant reductions in negative trait impressions included 'Disconnected' (-24%) and 'Cowardly' (-16%).
- Smaller but significant decreases were observed for 'Immoral' and 'Irresponsible' (-12% each).
Conclusions:
- Brief survivor-narrative videos are effective in shifting public attitudes toward SLSs.
- The positive effects on stigma reduction are partially maintained for up to 1 month.
- Video interventions offer a low-cost, scalable method to improve the social climate for SLSs and support their recovery.
