Service-Learning with the Mentally Ill: Softening the Stigma

Stigmas toward those who have mental illnesses are wide-spread and detrimental to the health and wellbeing of those suffering from these debilitating conditions, and to society as a whole. Stigma-reducing programs are plentiful but many are only marginally effective. In this paper we describe and evaluate a course in Psychopathology that included service-learning and reflection activities as central course components. Compared to a control group, service-learners’ attitudes toward the mentally ill were more uniformly positive and compassionate after they completed the course. We discuss these results from a broad service-learning perspective.