Lessons change teenage attitudes to mental illness

Teaching school children about common mental health problems can reduce prejudice and negative attitudes towards mental illness, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Sheffield. The research found that teenagers who received just six lessons on mental health showed significantly more sensitivity and empathy towards people with mental health problems. The teenagers also used less negative language to describe mental health problems. The study, published in the April issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry, followed 14 and 15-year-old pupils at two secondary schools in London. At one school, the pupils attended six 50-minute lessons on mental health issues common among young people: stress, depression, suicide/self-harm, eating disorders, being bullied and learning disabilities. The lessons included discussion, role-playing and internet research, and pupils were shown booklets, factsheets and films. Pupils at the other school did not receive any of these lessons.