Section 3: ACT intervention to reduce stigma of mental illness
Activity 1.3 ACT and Stigma Reduction
ACT Processes:
- All
Objectives:
- To provide a short introduction on ACT and how it is related to stigma reduction
- To provide a short introduction on the nature of experiential exercises and how to get the most out of the training
Participation Format:
- Arrange all the chairs in a large horseshoe shape, with co-facilitators sitting across each other at the open-end of the horseshoe
Number of Facilitators:
- 2
Time Required:
- 25mins
Materials Required:
Activities & Instructions
Instructions for participants
Facilitator uses PowerPoint Presentation “ACT and Stigma Reduction” to provide a short introduction on ACT and what to expect in the ACT training
The PowerPoint has 3 major parts:
(I) What is ACT?
Facilitator #1 and #2 take turns talking about the 6 core ACT processes. For each one, Facilitator #1 begins by explaining repertoire-narrowing processes that contribute to inflexibility, and Facilitator #2 finishes by explaining the ACT process that leads to greater flexibility. (see Hexaflex: The ACT model of psychological flexibility)
(II) ACT & Stigma
In addition to increasing participants’ general resilience, Facilitator #1 and Facilitator #2 can take turns explaining on page 12 why ACT is used specifically in this project to deal with stigma and to train MH Ambassadors:
Self – ACT can help each participant on an individual level by:
- decreasing the negative impact of internalized stigma of mental illness and/or other self-labels
- decreasing the power of stigma and/or other labels in constraining our behaviours (e.g. a person fused with being a ‘shy person’ may be reluctant to promote mental health in an outspoken way)
- decreasing our tendency to believe in/act out our own stigmatizing thoughts against others (e.g. our own stigma against other people with mental illness, our judgment against others, etc.)
Others – ACT can facilitate our relationship with others:
- we can relate to our friends, families, co-workers, etc. with acceptance and mindfulness in a value-consistent manner, including in our role as MH Ambassadors
- we can forge new relationships through acceptance, mindfulness, and a value-based approach, reaching out to others we may have been previously reluctant to approach or even actively avoided, including others with mental illness, community leaders, etc.
- in all of our relationships, we will be less affected by any process of stigmatization / marginalization as an MH Ambassador, and we will be less inclined to stigmatize others.
Community/Society – ACT can help us in our stigma reduction and mental health promotion work in the community, as we can:
- approach our communities/society in an ACT-consistent manner (with an acceptance, mindfulness and valued-based stance vs. an adversarial,blaming stance)
- deal with obstacles in an ACT-consistent manner (e.g. when we encounter societal/community pushback, criticisms, and resistance)
- disseminate the ACT approach itself to communities/society as a vehicle for decreasing stigma and increasing acceptance
(III) How to get most out of training?
- Spotlight – sometimes, we look at stigma and other issues as problems being “out there”; in this training, allow yourself and your own experiences to be the centre of your focus
- Mirror – in focusing on yourself, allow yourself the space for self-reflection and self-analysis
- Open Window – Self-reflection and the ACT training can be more effective if you allow yourself to “open-up” – at least to yourself, and to the extent that you are willing, to others in this group
- Heart – as we become more open with ourselves and with each other, we need to do this with compassion – with ourselves and with each other
- Baby Swimming – Just as learning to swim is not possible by only reading books and not getting wet, ACT training is all about learning through experiences, and not just intellectually grasping it. You do have to get wet in the water. Approach it as a baby would – with openness and curiosity. At the same time, you do not need to force yourself to go too deep – you can go at your own pace.
- Emotions – Part of the getting wet is to allow yourself to be in touch with your emotions to the extent that you are willing to do so. This may also mean allowing others in the group to feel the emotions that they would need to feel. You can support each other without controlling each other’s emotions or telling people how they should feel.
- Footprints in the sand – Finally, the ACT training is an experiential journey. Each activity we do will build on the previous one. Approach each activity with patience, openness, and reflection as we journey towards the valued direction of becoming Mental Health Ambassadors.
References & Sources
- Adapted and modified from: Fung, K. (2011). Introduction to ACT. A presentation to parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Toronto, ON
Appendix 1.3.1 – Hexaflex ACT Model
Appendix 1.3.2 – ACT and Stigma PowerPoint Handout
