Özet:

Stigma is a major problem in the treatment of mental illnesses. Due to stigma, patients have difficulties in seeking help, benefitting from treatment and reintegrating into the community, and patients and families are prevented from participating in social functions, or accessing education and employment opportunities. Although health care workers play an important role in the fight against stigma, attention is drawn to the stigmatizing attitudes of nursing students as a health worker. Given this issue, nursing education should be revised, and programs aiming to change knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors should be developed. The aim of this present study is to share the process and results of the "antistigma education program" conducted under the mental health and disease course with nursing students. The program was developed by the authors and was conducted between May 2013 and June 2013 within the scope of mental health and psychiatric nursing course. The aim of the program is to raise students’ awareness of stigma of mental illnesses and the effects of stigma and to encourage them to take responsibility in the struggle against stigma. The main output of the program will be the publication of a newspaper and production of an applicable project by the students within the scope of struggle against stigma. The program is structured in four-hour courses, and 128 students participated in the program. After the program, the students stated that they became aware of stigma, that their sense of responsibility increased and that this program played an effective role in solving the problem. Conclusion: Feedback by the students and changes observed in their attitudes indicated that the program was positive results on struggling against stigma. It is recommended that similar programs should be implemented in nursing education and that the efficacy of the program should be evaluated.

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