Implementation of an anti-stigma intervention towards people with mental disorders in Family Health Units

• Grant number: 22/10734-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: June 01, 2023
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nursing - Psychiatric Nursing
• Principal Investigator: Carla Aparecida Arena Ventura
• Grantee: Bruna Sordi Carrara
• Host Institution: Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto (EERP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/50111-4 - Exploring stigma, discrimination and recovery-based perspectives toward mental illness and substance use problems among primary healthcare providers in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil: a randomized controlled trial, AP.PP

Abstract

The integration between mental health and Primary Health Care (PHC) is the main global strategy to expand access to mental health and plays a key role in reducing stigma and mental health treatment gaps in different countries and regions. However, stigma towards people with mental disorders or substance use problems persists as a global issue and has been listed as one of the main barriers to a better integration of mental health in PHC. Health professionals are susceptible to developing stigmatizing attitudes regarding the possibilities of success and recovery of people with mental disorders. In this perspective, international and national programs have been developed to improve the stigma related to people with mental disorders, but among PHC professionals, there is still a need for investigations and implementation of actions related to stigma. This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an anti-stigma intervention directed at professionals from Family Health Units (USF) towards people with mental disorders in three different periods in the city of Ribeirao Preto (SP). The study aims to reduce stigma among PHC health professionals, continuing and strengthening the anti-stigma intervention initiated in Brazil through the FAPESP funded project, "Exploring Stigma, Discrimination and Recovery-Based Perspectives toward Mental Illness and Substance Use Problems among Primary Healthcare Providers in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil: A Randomized Controlled Trial". The implementation of the anti-stigma intervention will contribute to the expansion of the testing of its mid-term effectiveness, an important factor for its development and consolidation in other contexts.