Improving Mental Health Knowledge and Reducing Mental Health Stigma Among Public Safety Personnel
Comparison of Live vs. Online Psychoeducation Training Programs
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15512460 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Madeline R Marks (0000-0001-8032-9882, University of Maryland, Baltimore, corresponding author), Clint Bowers (0000-0001-6988-9934, University of Central Florida), Deborah C Beidel (0000-0003-2137-2244, University of Central Florida), Jordan Ortman (0000-0002-8494-9808, University of Central Florida), Amie R Newins (0000-0002-4900-2424, University of Central Florida) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 21 |
| Issue | 10 |
| Pages | 1358-1358 |
| Publication date | 2024-10-15 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601 |
| Publisher | Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3390/ijerph21101358 |
| OpenAlex | W4403406478 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 21 |
This study evaluates the effectiveness of a brief psychoeducation training program in reducing mental health stigma, both toward others and oneself, among public safety personnel, while also comparing the relative effectiveness of in-person and online training modalities. In total, 1686 public safety personnel in Florida received psychoeducation on the mental health impacts of public safety work. Participants completed pre- and post-training questionnaires assessing demographics, mental health knowledge, and mental health stigma toward others and themselves. Among the participants, 871 completed the training online, and 44 completed the training in-person. A paired samples t-test assessed changes in knowledge from pre- to post-test, and 2 × 2 repeated measures ANOVAs analyzed stigma-related data. Mental health knowledge increased and mental health stigma toward others decreased post-training, with no differences between training modalities. No changes in mental health self-stigma were found. Police officers reported significantly greater self-stigma than firefighters. Firefighters and dispatchers reported significantly less stigma toward others than police officers. This study found that both in-person and online psychoeducation can similarly improve mental health knowledge and reduce stigma toward others, which may help reduce barriers to seeking care
Family medicine · Mental health · Psychiatry · Psychoeducation · Psychological intervention · Public health · Social stigma · Stigma (botany · Training (meteorology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Digital Mental Health Interventions · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Nursing · Psychology
| Highly cited | No |
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