What is it about?
'On the Same Wavelength' is a co-designed podcast featuring speakers with lived experience of complex mental health issues such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe anxiety and depression. In each episode, speakers discuss the impact of stigma and discrimination on their lives. The current study examined the podcast’s impact on listeners’ attitudes towards people living with complex mental health issues. University students listened to three episodes of the stigma podcast compared to a control podcast. Those who listened to the stigma podcast had a short-term improvement in prejudicial attitudes and also experienced a higher degree of empathy after one of the three episodes. Participants provided positive feedback on the podcast - over 90% agreed that 'On the Same Wavelength' is accurate, trustworthy, and had a clear message. 'On the Same Wavelength' shows promise in short-term stigma reduction, but further research is needed to learn how to make such podcasts even more impactful.
Featured Image
Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash
Why is it important?
This study indicates that 'On the Same Wavelength', and similar mental health-themed podcasts, show promise as a valuable, low-cost, and scalable tool for improving attitudes toward people living with complex mental health issues. This study contributes to the evidence base for podcasts with mental health-related outcomes.
Perspectives
Creating this podcast was a rewarding process - and it was exciting to be able to demonstrate the benefits of listening through this research. Most people know someone who has experienced a mental health condition, or psychological distress. Whether you’re in a personal, educational, professional or social setting, I hope you listen to the podcast and feel empowered to make a positive difference. And for listeners with lived experience – I hope the podcast gives you some comfort. You’re not alone.
Elise Carrotte
University of Melbourne
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The wavelengths study: A randomized controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of a codesigned podcast on mental illness stigma., Stigma and Health, June 2024, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/sah0000537.
You can read the full text:
Resources
Listen to the podcast 'On the Same Wavelength'
A podcast focusing on how we can improve outcomes for people living with complex mental health conditions in Australia, and smash the stigma. Each episode, hear from real people who share their raw experiences – what goes right, and what goes wrong – helping us get on the same wavelength. Their stories are honest, confronting, but hopeful. A collaboration by SANE and the University of Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences.
Read about the co-design process
The Co-Design and Anti-Stigma Podcast Research (CASPR) study aimed to collaborate with key target audience members to inform the development of a new podcast. This podcast primarily aims to reduce listeners' stigmatizing attitudes toward people living with complex mental health issues.
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
