Reducing Self-stigma Using Brief Video Intervention

Stigma is a profound obstacle to care. Self-stigma decreases sense of self-competency, as well as healthcare seeking and treatment adherence and creates barriers to pursuing employment, independent living, and fulfilling social life. For example, people with mental disorders avoid, delay, or drop out of treatment due to a fear of labeling and discrimination or experience treatments as ineffective or disrespectful. Therefore, reducing self stigma can reduce self-blame, improve self-confidence and provide support for people living with mental illness.

In a prior study, the investigators developed a short video intervention to reduce self-stigma among people with schizophrenia. The investigators would like to test the efficacy of this video using Prolific (a crowdsourcing platform). Specifically, the investigators are interested in recruiting 1,200 Prolific participants, ages 18-35, who mentioned in their profile while enrolling to Prolific that they have a mental health condition, and randomized them into watching the newly developed video to reduce self-stigma or participate in the non-intervention control arm. Participants will be invited to participate in a follow-up survey 30 days after completing the first survey.