The study was published in 2026 in the Asian Journal of Healthcare Analytics and involved 40 residents in Jambi City who lived in areas served by community health centers with recorded cases of people with mental disorders. The research highlights an often-overlooked issue: stigma affects not only patients, but also the families who provide daily care and emotional support.
In many communities, families of people with schizophrenia still face discrimination, social exclusion, and negative stereotypes. Some are avoided by neighbors, excluded from social activities, or blamed for the condition of their family members. Such treatment can worsen psychological stress within the family and negatively affect the recovery process of patients.
According to the researchers, low levels of mental health literacy remain one of the main causes of stigma. Many people still misunderstand schizophrenia and view mental illness as a family disgrace, moral failure, or supernatural issue rather than a medical condition requiring treatment and support.
To address the problem, the research team implemented a one-month community-based intervention program. The activities included mental health education, counseling sessions about schizophrenia, and structured community discussions involving local residents. Health professionals and researchers facilitated the sessions directly within the community.
The study used a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test measurements to evaluate changes in public attitudes before and after the intervention. Researchers assessed stigma levels, social acceptance, and mental health literacy using structured questionnaires.
The findings revealed a significant decline in stigma after the intervention. Before the program began, the average stigma score among participants was 71.35. After one month of education and discussion sessions, the score dropped to 54.10.
The 17.25-point decrease demonstrated that community-based mental health education effectively changed public perceptions toward families of people with schizophrenia. Residents who initially showed social distancing behaviors became more open and supportive after participating in the program.
The study also recorded a major improvement in mental health literacy. Community understanding of schizophrenia increased substantially, with literacy scores rising from 58.45 before the intervention to 78.20 afterward.
Participants gained a better understanding that schizophrenia is a medical and psychological condition rather than a personal weakness or family failure. This improved understanding helped reduce fear, misconceptions, and negative stereotypes surrounding mental illness.
In addition to improving knowledge, the intervention also strengthened social acceptance. Positive attitudes toward families of people with schizophrenia increased from 26.10 to 34.25, while social acceptance scores rose from 24.35 to 33.40.
These findings suggest that mental health education can influence not only cognitive understanding but also emotional responses and social behavior. Community discussions created opportunities for residents to openly talk about mental health, reflect on their beliefs, and develop empathy toward affected families.
The research also emphasized the important role of community mental health nurses in reducing stigma. Participants rated the nursing-led educational sessions very positively, describing them as clear, relevant, and highly effective in helping people better understand schizophrenia and family caregiving challenges.
According to Anipah and Asmeriyani, community-based mental health promotion is essential because stigma is deeply rooted in social and cultural environments. Reducing stigma therefore requires active community participation, not only individual treatment approaches.
The findings support previous international studies showing that mental health education and community engagement can significantly improve public attitudes toward people with mental disorders and their families. Better public understanding can strengthen social support systems and improve the quality of life of families caring for relatives with schizophrenia.
The researchers acknowledged several limitations in the study. The sample size was relatively small, and the research was conducted in only one geographic area of Jambi City. Future studies involving larger populations and more diverse communities are recommended to strengthen the evidence.
From a practical perspective, the study offers important recommendations for policymakers, healthcare providers, and community organizations. Community-based mental health education programs could become an effective strategy to promote social inclusion and reduce discrimination against families affected by mental illness.
Anipah explained that stronger community support can encourage families to seek professional treatment more confidently and participate more actively in the recovery process of their relatives.
Programs like these may also help reduce social isolation and discriminatory practices that are still experienced by many people with mental disorders in Indonesia. Increased public awareness could transform communities into supportive environments that promote recovery and acceptance.
Author Profiles
Anipah is a researcher and academic from Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Garuda Putih Jambi specializing in community mental health nursing and mental health promotion.
Asmeriyani is an academic at Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Garuda Putih Jambi with expertise in public health and community nursing interventions.
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