Recorded versus live social contact interventions to reduce stigma: randomised controlled trial

Background/Objectives: Social contact is known to reduce stigma and social contact-based interventions are being increasingly used in anti-stigma programmes in mental health. Recorded interventions, such as audiovisual DVDs, may act as an indirect form of social contact and may have practical and cost advantages, but little is known about their effectiveness. To compare the effectiveness of a DVD and a live mental health service user intervention and a lecture control, in reducing stigma. We hypothesised that: (i) there will be no difference between the DVD (indirect social contact with people affected by mental…