P-37 Making progress on noncommunicable diseases by tack- ling mental health stigma in small island communities - the British Virgin Islands and Bermuda
Author(s):
C Samuel, M Webb, S Beckford
Type Of Study:
- Experimental or Intervention Study
Year of Presentation:
2024
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an in-person online nutrition education intervention to increase nutrition knowledge and attitudes of amateur adolescent basketball athletes in Eastern Trinidad.
Methods: Anti-stigma interventions in the BVI and Bermuda were based on core methods of an evidence-based anti-stigma programme (Time to Change) implemented in England then adapted to local contents and cultures by mental health teams from the BVIHSA, Bermuda Hospitals Board and Bermuda Ministry of Health. Core methods included; foundational research (surveys of people with mental health problems on the extent/impact of stigma and 'audience insight' focus groups with local populations), training 'Champions' with mental health problems to share their stories at 'social contact' events, and social marketing campaigns.
Results: Core methods were adaptable to BVI and Bermuda contexts, but difference were noted in the numbers who felt able to speak publicly as Champions. There are seven active Champions in the BVI but, despite 85 people being approached and five completing initial training in Bermuda, there aren’t any active Champions. The BVI's ‘Mindful’ campaign had impressive levels of reach (approximately 193,000 impressions) and active engagement with material 25,000 times (August-December 2023). The best-performing social media adverts featured the Champions. Forty-one people in the BVI and 74 people in Bermuda with mental health problems completed the stigma survey. Approximately forty-four per cent (43.9%) (BVI) and 43% (Bermuda) of respondents reported that stigma had stopped them from doing things in their communities; with families and communities being the most common cause of the perceived stigma in BVI and Bermuda respectively.
Conclusion: It is feasible to locally-tailor and successfully implement an existing evidence-based anti-stigma method and tools to meet the specific needs, culture, and context of small island communities. However, before any models are considered an initial assessment of the potential for adaptation and revised approaches should be undertaken.