Stigma About Mental Health in Slovenian First-Year Medical Students

Abstract

OBJECTIVE Stigma surrounding mental health persists as a significant impediment to adequate support and help-seeking behaviors in Slovenia, despite advancements in psychiatric care and education. This study investigates stigma among first-year medical students at the University of Maribor, Slovenia and how the stigma changes after completing a course in mental health literacy. PARTICIPANTS Participants were first-year medical students at the University of Maribor in the academic year 2023/2024. A total of 116 students participated in the baseline study, with 66 students participating in the follow-up study. STUDY METHOD The intervention involved implementing the “Transitions” program, aimed at enhancing mental health literacy and reducing stigma. We conducted a baseline study and a follow-up study, then used Wilcoxon signed rank test for repeated measures to compare the differences in ranks before and after implementation of the program. FINDINGS There was a significant reduction in stigma after intervention (Wilcoxon Z = −3.06, P < .01), suggesting a positive impact of the educational program. This reduction aligns with findings from similar programs globally, suggesting the efficacy of educational interventions in mitigating mental health stigma. CONCLUSIONS The study emphasizes the importance of integrating mental health education into medical curricula to foster stigma reduction and enhance mental health literacy among future medical doctors.