{"id":3824,"date":"2021-01-19T16:29:11","date_gmt":"2021-01-19T16:29:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.centerforemdd.com\/?page_id=3824"},"modified":"2024-09-05T19:23:48","modified_gmt":"2024-09-05T19:23:48","slug":"using-design-thinking-to-explore-mental-health-stigma-accessibility-in-educational-institutions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/emdd.bsu.edu\/index.php\/research\/using-design-thinking-to-explore-mental-health-stigma-accessibility-in-educational-institutions\/","title":{"rendered":"Using Design Thinking to Explore Mental Health Stigma: Accessibility in Educational Institutions"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Using Design Thinking<\/span>\u00a0to Explore Mental Health Stigma: Accessibility in Educational Institutions<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Deborah Ojo<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Research has shown<\/strong> that mental health issues can go undetected because most people who experience them are often still active and productive (Mentalhealth.gov, 2017). Signs of a mental breakdown are often ignored, not known, or not handled properly. Additionally, many people lack the resources necessary to address problems or do not seek proper help. 44% of adults and less than 20% of youths receive the treatment they need (Activeminds.org, n.d.). In a study focused on enhancing mental health care using the national suicide prevention line, researchers discovered that callers\u2019 perceptions about mental health resources and denial of the severity of a mental health problem prevented them from using mental health resources (Gould et al., 2012). Additionally, schools have generally not adopted or implemented services designed to address students\u2019 mental health issues. Although counseling centers and initiatives like relaxation rooms exist in many schools, the resources are often not used because there is still a heavy stigma surrounding mental health and related subjects (Stuart, 2004). This makes mental health issues difficult to discuss because students have already adopted negative perceptions (Flood-Grady & Kellas, 2019).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Studies have also explored mental health in college students. Today, young people are more likely to talk freely about mental health (Activeminds.org, n.d.). However, there is still a lack of mental health resources in schools and students often do not fully engage with such resources when they are provided (Atkins et al., 2010; Ahmedani, 2011; Kuosmanen, Fleming & Barry, 2018). As a result, students often struggle in school and have had problems with schoolwork. Stuart (2004) posited that there are no evidence-based ways to support the reduction of the stigma that surrounds mental health. To address these issues, this creative project will use empathy research and design thinking to explore solutions that will include a cross-platform experience that allows mental health to be less stigmatized and resources more accessible to college students.<\/p>

Design thinking strategies will be used to explore the best ways to increase mental health awareness and accessibility among college student populations. First, empathy research will be conducted through an online survey intended to establish how mental health can be made more accessible to students. It will be delivered to college students, who will be able to answer the survey anonymously. Questions will be designed to understand participant\u2019s general knowledge and experiences with mental health and related services. Questions about participants\u2019 access to resources and their preferences for cross-platform features and attributes will also be included. Empathy research will also investigate whether accessibility can improve awareness and engagement in schools. Ideation sessions will be conducted to inform the development of a crossplatform storytelling experience designed to help college students to gain more understanding about mental health issues, as well as to make resources more accessible to them.<\/p>

This project will facilitate discussions and ideas to combat mental health stigma. It will also bridge the gap between mental health stigma and accessibility in educational institutions. This project can assist schools and their mental health providers to understand student perceptions and increase student access to resources.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExplore More Research<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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