Educating students about mental illness: ethnic students' perspective of the effectiveness of a web-based educational tool

Rationale: Mental health (MH) issues are increasing on post-secondary campuses particularly with ethnic students. This study aimed to establish the effectiveness of web-based MH education. Methods: A three-phase design was used with non-random sampling. An interest questionnaire addressed students’ (n=42) interest/preferred method of MH education in the first phase. In the second phase, a pre/post knowledge test/attitude scale assessed Mindsight’s (a web-based tool for MH education) effectiveness with ethnic students from the initial sample (n=13). In the final phase, ethnic students provided feedback on Mindsight’s effectiveness during focus groups/telephone interviews. Results: Most students considered MH education important and would use web-based tools. All students showed an increase in MH knowledge and most showed a decrease in stigmatizing attitudes. Mindsight was considered easy to use and interactive, however lacked in ethnic sensitivity. Conclusion: Web-based MH education has potential; however, ethnic sensitivity needs to be addressed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Health Sciences (MHSc)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Applied Bioscience

Grantor

University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Syed, Atiquah

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Stanyon, Wendy

• Mental health
• Web-based
• Ethnicity

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10155/251

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ontariotechu.scholaris.ca:10155/251