Encouraging “Positive Views” of Mental Illness in High Schools: An Evaluation of Bring Change 2 Mind Youth Engagement Clubs

Abstract

“Bring Change 2 Mind” (BC2M) high school clubs may destigmatize mental illness among club members, but clubs’ (1) reach and impact on non-club members at the same school, (2) connection to student help-seeking attitudes, and (3) mechanisms by which they destigmatize mental illness, are unknown. This community-partnered evaluation involved pre/post surveys of predominantly Latino (72%) students at three urban public schools and focus groups and interviews with a sample of club members (n = 26/65, 40%) and all club staff (n = 7, 100%). Multivariate regressions tested relationships between variables. In 84% of the student body responded in the Fall (n = 1,040) and Spring (n = 1,031). Non-club member engagement in BC2M (reach) increased from 25% (Fall) to 44% (Spring) (p