Improvements in Literacy, Stigmatic Views, and Microaggressions Towards Mental Illness for Undergraduate Criminal Justice Majors

Abstract

Mental illness impacts billions, globally. While mental illness does not predict criminality, many individuals with mental health needs find themselves within the various decision points of the criminal legal system. Research shows that individuals experiencing a mental health challenge and/or crisis are at greater risk for a law enforcement encounter, police use-of-forth, detainment in jail, and court and correctional system involvement. Yet, research has found that increased knowledge surrounding mental illness can reduce negative criminal legal system involvement. As such, the current sample included undergraduate criminal justice students enrolled in an elective course that included Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)—an evidence-based intervention training. In the current study, MHFA was part of the course curriculum. Enrolled students completed both a pre- and post-test questionnaire (at the beginning and end of the course) to measure changes in their mental illness literacy for depression, mental illness stigma, and mental illness microaggressions. Results support the implementation of MHFA to undergraduate criminal justice students, as students had an increase in mental illness literacy, and decreases in mental illness stigma and microaggressions. These findings encourage more colleges and universities to offer MHFA to promote peer support as well as professional knowledge for those who will work within the criminal legal system.