Preliminary study of the usefulness of a virtual reality programme against stigma in mental health

Abstract

This study shows the results of the application of a new virtual reality program, designed to raise awareness of stigma towards people with mental health problems. Specifically, the software, called Inclúyete VR, shows first a person who is suffering from hallucinations (graphically represented by “monsters”) and, later, different psychosocial rehabilitation programs that are used for the social inclusion of people with severe mental disorder. A sample of 12 psychologists who were currently taking the Master of General Health Psychology use Inclúyete VR. The results obtained showed that stigma was reduced in a statistically significant way in these professionals. Likewise, they valued with more than 8 points (on a scale of 1-10) the interest and usefulness of the program. The importance of these results and future lines of research are discussed.

Keywords

• estigma
• realidad virtual
• trastornos mentales
• salud mental
• esquizofrenia