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Mental health stigma remains a pervasive challenge in India, with a staggering treatment gap and a lack of awareness contributing to stigmatizing attitudes. This research employed a design-led approach to assess the effectiveness of three key intervention approaches—Education, Contact, and Protest, by addressing the dire societal need to reduce mental health stigma in India. A number of tangible solutions were developed and tested, and were evaluated by 30 users spanning diverse socio-demographics in the 20–30 age group, via online surveys. A comparison of a class of design interventions, i.e., posters developed for each category were assessed and results revealed that “Protest” posters were overwhelmingly perceived as the most relatable, visually striking, and thought-provoking, capturing the attention of 95% of participants. In sharp contrast, “Contact” type was deemed the least relatable and visually appealing, while “Education” type posters scored moderately across various aspects but showed the lowest effectiveness in prompting contemplation on mental health prevalence in India. However, a combination approach solution, i.e., self-reflection journal book, received the positive-most feedback with over 80% of respondents acknowledging the utility of the “emotion tick-box checklist” and “self-reflection framework” in initiating thoughtful introspection. Participants also recognized the value of the included quotes in normalizing and destigmatizing mental illness. In addition, the language used in the interventions was widely appreciated for its clarity and accessibility. In conclusion it can be stated that tangible design solutions to build resilience against stigma in society necessitates a strong essence of protest, while education and contact are allied approaches and that there is a growing need for culturally sensitive interventions to reshape public perceptions of mental illness in India. The research primarily focused on urban and semi-urban populations proficient in the English language, emphasizing the need for broader exploration across diverse linguistic and cultural contexts.

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Design for Responsible and Resilient Society: Combatting Mental Health Stigma in Contemporary India Through Education, Contact, and Protest-Based Approaches

  • 会议论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年

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  • Bhagyesh Panchal,
  • Shakuntala Acharya

摘要

Mental health stigma remains a pervasive challenge in India, with a staggering treatment gap and a lack of awareness contributing to stigmatizing attitudes. This research employed a design-led approach to assess the effectiveness of three key intervention approaches—Education, Contact, and Protest, by addressing the dire societal need to reduce mental health stigma in India. A number of tangible solutions were developed and tested, and were evaluated by 30 users spanning diverse socio-demographics in the 20–30 age group, via online surveys. A comparison of a class of design interventions, i.e., posters developed for each category were assessed and results revealed that “Protest” posters were overwhelmingly perceived as the most relatable, visually striking, and thought-provoking, capturing the attention of 95% of participants. In sharp contrast, “Contact” type was deemed the least relatable and visually appealing, while “Education” type posters scored moderately across various aspects but showed the lowest effectiveness in prompting contemplation on mental health prevalence in India. However, a combination approach solution, i.e., self-reflection journal book, received the positive-most feedback with over 80% of respondents acknowledging the utility of the “emotion tick-box checklist” and “self-reflection framework” in initiating thoughtful introspection. Participants also recognized the value of the included quotes in normalizing and destigmatizing mental illness. In addition, the language used in the interventions was widely appreciated for its clarity and accessibility. In conclusion it can be stated that tangible design solutions to build resilience against stigma in society necessitates a strong essence of protest, while education and contact are allied approaches and that there is a growing need for culturally sensitive interventions to reshape public perceptions of mental illness in India. The research primarily focused on urban and semi-urban populations proficient in the English language, emphasizing the need for broader exploration across diverse linguistic and cultural contexts.