Breaking down the stigma of mental illness through an adventure camp: A collaborative education initiative

In May 2001, 40 mental health consumers and 80 third year undergraduate nursing students participated in a two-day outdoor adventure camp entitled ‘Inside Out: Adventures in Mental Health Nursing’. Based on the success of this program, the following year 200 third year undergraduate students along with 100 mental health consumers attended the camp. Together they explored issues of mental health and illness through experiential and perceived risk challenges. The program involved learning about and participating in action-based approaches to working with people. The following report describes this educational initiative that enabled nursing students to learn from mental health consumers and, at the same time, challenge negative views about mental illness. The evaluation data reveals a breakdown in the stigma of mental illness as consumers and students came to know, trust, and count on each other in order to succeed in the adventure challenges. Other benefits and outcomes for both students and consumers are outlined as well as shortcomings.