Responding to experienced and anticipated discrimination training for health professionals working in mental health services (READ-MH): an international multisite pre-post mixed methods feasibility study

Jemli, Hend, Ayele, Bethel, Bakolis, Ioannis, Bhattarai, Kalpana, Brohan, Elaine, Cherian, Anish, Daniel, Mercian, Girma, Eshetu, Gronholm, Petra C., Gurung, Dristy, Hailemariam, Ariam, Hanlon, Charlotte, Kallakuri, Sudha, Kaur, Amanpreet ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8049-1385, Ketema, Bezawit, Lempp, Heidi, Li, Jie, Loganathan, Santosh, Maulik, Pallab K., Mendon, Gurucharan, Metsahel, Amani, Mulatu, Tesfahun, Ma, Yurong, Ma, Ning, Subedi, Bhawana, Yaziji, Nahel, Zgueb, Yosra, Zhang, Wufang, Thornicroft, Graham, Ouali, Uta and Henderson, Claire (2026) Responding to experienced and anticipated discrimination training for health professionals working in mental health services (READ-MH): an international multisite pre-post mixed methods feasibility study. SSM - Mental Health, 9: 100609. pp. 1-11. ISSN 2666-5603

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Abstract

Background: Stigmatisation and discrimination towards people with mental health problems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is pervasive. Health professionals working in mental health services can play a critical role in stigma reduction. This study examines the feasibility, costs, and potential effectiveness of READ-MH for such professionals in LMICs. Methods: This multisite, nonrandomized pre–post mixed-methods feasibility study was conducted across all seven INDIGO-Partnership program sites. The impact of READ-MH was assessed pre and immediately post training and at three months follow up on: knowledge of training content; attitudes to addressing stigma as a professional; and clinical skills pre and immediately post training using an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) with a scenario concerning anticipated stigma. Qualitative interviews of trainees at three months explored the impact on their practice. Results: Improvements in knowledge, attitudes, and clinical skills were reported. Mean knowledge scores increased immediately after training (+1.63; 95% CI 1.08–2.18) and were sustained at three months (+1.21; 95% CI 0.66–1.76). Increases were observed in the two attitudinal subscales i.e. role security (+1.28, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.74) and therapeutic commitment (+1.95, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.68) post-intervention, sustained at three months (+0.89, 95% CI 0.43 to 1.35) and +1.81; 95% CI 1.08 to 2.54). OSCEs total scores increased by 2.41 (+2.41, 95% CI 1.87–2.94). Qualitative data highlighted the training's relevance, advocacy orientation, and the importance of the experts by experience. Conclusion: Findings across multiple LMIC contexts demonstrate feasibility, cultural adaptability, and sustained impact, supporting further evaluation of READ-MH.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Discrimination | Health advocacy | Health professionals | Mental health care | Objective structured clinical examination | Stigma | Training
Subjects: Social Sciences and humanities > Psychology > General Psychology
Social Sciences and humanities > Social Sciences > Health (Social sciences)
Vol/Issue no. published date: June 2026
Depositing User: Mr. Arjun Dinesh
Date Deposited: 03 Apr 2026 10:21
Last Modified: 22 Apr 2026 06:13
Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmmh.2026.100609
URI: https://pure.jgu.edu.in/id/eprint/11127

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