Attitudes and stigma toward mental health in nursing students: A systematic review

PURPOSE: This systematic review seeks to ascertain whether mental health-specific education reduces stigmatizing attitudes in nursing students. DESIGN AND METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed. FINDINGS: Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Most of the results show an improvement in attitudes toward mental health, both in theory and clinical experience, but a greater improvement toward these stigmatizing attitudes was observed in clinical placements than in theory. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Mental-health-specific training seems to improve perceptions toward mental health. Clinical placement underpins theory, leading to a decrease in negative attitudes and stigma regarding mental health.