Trade stigma for esteem. Perceptions of Occupational Therapy university students towards stigma in Mental Health

Abstract

Stigmatising meanings about mental health are socially present and are evidenced in negative expressions, myths and behaviours of rejection towards people with mental illness. This study is based on the interest in finding out aspects related to the attitudes of Occupational Therapy students towards the population with these problems. The general objective was to investigate the idea of mental health and the situation of stigma considered by the Occupational Therapy students of the Juan Agustín Maza University in 2022-2023, in Mendoza, Argentina. Methodology: A qualitative, descriptive, descriptive, cross-sectional and observational study was carried out through a questionnaire in which the conceptions of Mental Health and Stigma were investigated. Focus group discussions were then implemented and the central axes were explored in greater depth. Both sources were triangulated. Results: The study shows that although the majority of students understand the issue of mental health from a rights perspective and maintain that people with this conditions can participate in various activities of daily life, there is a tendency based on stereotypes such as the impossibility of caring for children, limiting considerations regarding the exercise of citizenship and the idea that people with serious disorders are dangerous. Conclusions: The analysis of the results allows us to perceive the prevailing conceptions on the subject among students, the possibility of opening up to different approaches with the consideration of mental health and human rights and the necessary deepening of these aspects.