Improvements in Literacy, Stigmatic Views, and Microaggressions Towards Mental Illness for Undergraduate Criminal Justice Majors

Abstract

Mental illness impacts billions, globally. While mental illness does not predict criminality, many individuals with mental health needs find themselves within the various decision points of the criminal legal system. Research shows that individuals experiencing a mental health challenge and/or crisis are at greater risk for a law enforcement encounter, police use-of-forth, detainment in jail, and court and correctional system involvement. Yet, research has found that increased knowledge surrounding mental illness can reduce negative criminal legal system involvement. As such, the current sample included undergraduate criminal justice students enrolled in an elective course that included Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)—an evidence-based intervention training. In the current study, MHFA was part of the course curriculum. Enrolled students completed both a pre- and post-test questionnaire (at the beginning and end of the course) to measure changes in their mental illness literacy for depression, mental illness stigma, and mental illness microaggressions. Results support the implementation of MHFA to undergraduate criminal justice students, as students had an increase in mental illness literacy, and decreases in mental illness stigma and microaggressions. These findings encourage more colleges and universities to offer MHFA to promote peer support as well as professional knowledge for those who will work within the criminal legal system.

Keywords:

• Mental Health First Aid
• mental illness stigma
• mental health microaggressions
• mental health literacy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Mental health literacy refers to the knowledge and beliefs one holds about mental disorders and how to recognize, manage, or prevent them (Jorm et al., 1997).

2 “CIT programs create connections between law enforcement, mental health providers, hospital emergency services, and individuals with mental illness and their families. Through collaborative community partnerships and intensive training, CIT improves communication, identifies mental health resources for those in crisis, and ensures officer and community safety” (NAMI).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

April N. Terry

Dr. April N. Terry is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at Fort Hays State University, specializing in four lines of research: juvenile corrections, gender and crime, rural criminology, and gender-based violence. Dr. Terry has published several dozen manuscripts and book chapters including system-involved individuals, and has more than 100 local, regional, or national presentations on prevention and intervention efforts.