TITLE:
A Systematic Scoping Review of Nursing’s Pivotal Role in Dismantling Mental Health Discrimination
AUTHORS:
Ali Alalwi, Abrar Bo Khamseen, Amal Al Shulian, Nouf Aljarri, Laila Albashah, Kawthar Alismail, Fadhel Al Hakeem, Samah Aljuaidan, Noor Aljafar, Fatimah Alaithan, Batool Alamri, Tawah Aljumaiah, Sami Al Hanfoosh, Jassem Al Battat, Yasmeen Alsuraij, Atika Al Khalifa, Rabab Almuqarrab, Abdullah Albeladi, Abdulelah Al Mutawah, Abdullah Al Dughaim, Abdullah Al Mohaisen, Sabah Almizraq, Laila Alrabiah, Zainb Alabdullah, Khawlah Alali
KEYWORDS:
Anti-Stigma, Leadership, Mental Health, Nursing Leadership, Stigma Reduction
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Nursing,
Vol.15 No.11,
November
10,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background: The scope of mental health challenges facing contemporary society underscores the critical importance of nursing leadership in stigma reduction efforts. As part of their roles, nurses are better placed to be essential advocates for policy changes, resource allocation decisions, and systemic reforms that address the structural determinants of mental health stigma. Aim: To identify evidence-based anti-stigma interventions implemented by nurses across various healthcare contexts and analyze the effectiveness of nursing-led initiatives in reducing discriminatory attitudes and practices. Methods: This review used the methodological framework outlined by Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review framework and was reinforced by the 2020 Joanna Briggs Institute PRISMA = ScR checklist for conducting scoping reviews. Results: The review included 30 studies meeting inclusion criteria. The included studies comprised sixteen randomized controlled trials, six quasi-experimental studies, five pre-post experimental intervention studies, and three longitudinal studies. Studies were conducted across multiple healthcare settings including psychiatric hospitals (n = 15), community mental health centers (n = 6), general hospitals (n = 5), and educational institutions (n = 3). Conclusion: Nursing-led and nursing-relevant anti-stigma interventions can effectively reduce mental health stigma across diverse populations, settings, and outcome domains.