Authors (including presenting author) :
SHUM SY(1)(2), CHAN CY(1)(2), LAU M(1), IP WM(1), YUE SY(1), WONG PT(2)
Affiliation :
(1)Occupational Therapy Department, Shatin Hospital, (2)Community Psychiatric Service, Shatin Hospital
Introduction :
After recent violent crimes related to people with mental illness in Hong Kong, the public increasingly sees mentally ill persons as a threat. People with mental illness may internalize the stereotypes and discriminations, leading to higher level of self-stigma. Negative recovery outcomes of self-stigma, including loss of self-esteem, social isolation, reduced help-seeking behavior and treatment reluctance, are major concerns of health care professionals. In order to reduce self-stigma and enhance recovery for people with mental illness, the de-stigmatization pilot program in community psychiatric rehabilitation was developed.
Objectives :
1. To unlearn myths and misconceptions of mental illness. 2. To overcome and reduce self-stigma. 3. To improve self-esteem and self-efficacy.
Methodology :
Initial interviews were conducted to identify needs and expectations of target participants. The standardized de-stigmatization program was composed of 3 sessions. Mixed intervention approaches including education and contact were adopted. - Session 1 (Education): to correct common myths, stereotypes and misconceptions of mental illness. - Session 2 (Education): to enrich knowledge of mental disorders and corresponding treatments. Six sub-modules were developed, including Schizophrenia, Depression, Bipolar Affective Disorder, Schizoaffective Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. - Session 3 (Contact): to promote collaborative interaction between peer support worker and participants. Standardized assessment tools were selected to evaluate the program effectiveness. 1. Self-Stigma Scale (Chinese Version): to assess level of self-stigma 2. Chinese Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale: to assess level of self-esteem 3. Chinese Self-Efficacy Scale: to assess level of self-efficacy
Result & Outcome :
18 participants (16 females and 2 males) were recruited in the pilot program, with mean age of 45.9. Participants with a variety of diagnosis were selected, including Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (33.3%), Depressive Disorders (50%), Bipolar Affective Disorders (11.1%) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (5.6%). 36 individual sessions were conducted from December 2023 to January 2025. Mid-way assessments were conducted after completed sessions 1 and 2. The mean total score of Self-Stigma Scale (Chinese Version) decreased from 21.0 to 19.7. The mean total score of Chinese Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale increased from 24.0 to 25.5, while the mean total score of Chinese Self-Efficacy Scale increased from 18.9 to 25.0. In a preliminary review, the standardized de-stigmatization program has demonstrated positive outcomes on reducing self-stigma, as well as increasing self-esteem and self-efficacy among psychiatric patients in community. Further sessions could be implemented to evaluate the effectiveness of the program.
