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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

Published in:

01-10-2014 | Original Paper

Modifying attitudes to mental health using comedy as a delivery medium

Authors: Norman Jones, Maya Twardzicki, John Ryan, Theresa Jackson, Mohammed Fertout, Claire Henderson, Neil Greenberg

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 10/2014

Abstract

Purpose

Beliefs about other people’s potential views or reactions may be powerful determinants of mental health help-seeking behaviours. United Kingdom Armed Forces (UK AF) have made considerable efforts to promote appropriate help seeking though it is often suggested that military personnel remain reluctant to seek help. This study evaluated a novel stigma-reduction method, stand-up comedy, in service personnel.

Method

Personnel viewed a regular comedy show or a show containing mental health information. Pre, immediately post-show and 3 months later, military stigmatisation, potential discrimination, mental health knowledge, help-seeking and coping behaviour, talking about mental health, current mental health and alcohol use were measured.

Results

Response rates were 81.3 % pre-show, 67.6 % post-show and 18.9 % at follow-up. Inclusion of mental health material did not appear to detract from show satisfaction. Post-show, intervention group (IG) participants reported significantly less stigmatisation and accurately answered mental health-related questions; in the small numbers followed up, neither difference was maintained, however, IG personnel were statistically significantly more likely to discuss mental health and to advise others about mental health; adjusted analyses suggested that this was related to factors other than the show.

Conclusion

In UK AF personnel, embedding mental health awareness within a comedy show format had a short-term positive effect upon military stigmatisation regarding mental health. The low rate of follow-up limited our ability to assess whether this effect was durable. If the longevity of change can be adequately assessed and demonstrated in further research, comedy could potentially form a component of a comprehensive stigma-reduction strategy.

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Title: Modifying attitudes to mental health using comedy as a delivery medium
Authors: Norman Jones
Maya Twardzicki
John Ryan
Theresa Jackson
Mohammed Fertout
Claire Henderson
Neil Greenberg
Publication date: 01-10-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 10/2014
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-014-0868-2

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Modifying attitudes to mental health using comedy as a delivery medium

Abstract

Purpose

Method

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Method

Results

Conclusion

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