The study from Sheffield University found that after six 50-minute lessons on common mental health problems among young people, such as stress, depression, self-harm and eating disorders, the pupils used less negative language to describe mental health problems.
The study, published in the April edition of the British Journal of Psychiatry, followed 14- and 15-year-olds at two secondary schools in London. One group attended the mental health lessons, which included discussion, role play and internet research, while the other received no lessons.
Both boys and girls who attended the lessons showed more understanding of why people become depressed, could name five mental health problems and were less likely to use stigmatising language.
Dr Paul Naylor, research fellow at Sheffield University's School of Health and Related Research, said: "Children believe from a very young age that psychiatric problems are personal failures and that children who receive psychological treatment are to be despised. This study shows that teaching 14- and 15-year-olds about mental health difficulties helps to reduce stigma."
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