Mental Health Education as a Tool for Stigma Reduction: A Quantitative Study among Students

Abstract

The present study examined the effectiveness of psychoeducational and CBT-based components embedded within clinical psychology coursework in improving mental health awareness and reducing stigma toward mental illness. It evaluated whether structured exposure to abnormal psychology concepts enhances students’ beliefs, understanding, and attitudes regarding mental disorders. A quantitative pre–post design was used with 150 undergraduate students enrolled in a Clinical Psychology course. Participation was voluntary with informed consent. Students completed a demographic form, the Beliefs toward Mental Health Scale, and the Resilience Scale before and after course completion. Statistical analyses assessed changes in awareness, beliefs, and stigma. Findings indicated a statistically significant improvement in mental health awareness and positive beliefs, along with a reduction in stigma. Students showed stronger beliefs in the treatability of mental illness and reduced perceptions of embarrassment and social stigma. Psychoeducational and CBT coursework in clinical psychology effectively promotes awareness, empathy, and evidence-based understanding of mental disorders. Integrating mental health education into academic curricula can reduce stigma, enhance mental health literacy, and contribute to the development of competent professionals and resilient communities.