Stigma related to mental illness can influence how individuals seek help, engage in treatment, and interact with health services. Among clinicians, stigma may affect communication, empathy, and the willingness to explore mental health concerns with patients. The Opening Minds Stigma Scale (OMS) is a brief, self report questionnaire designed to evaluate attitudes and beliefs about mental illness. It helps clinicians reflect on their comfort level, emotional responses, and perceptions of individuals living with mental health conditions.
This resource page outlines how the OMS works, what it measures, and how it can be used to promote awareness and reduce stigma in health care settings. The scale includes fifteen statements that assess attitudes toward mental illness, willingness to disclose personal mental health concerns, and beliefs about providing compassionate care. A downloadable version of the Opening Minds Stigma Scale is available for clinicians using the download resource button above.
Understanding How the OMS Works
The OMS consists of fifteen statements that measure three broad themes: attitudes toward individuals with mental illness, willingness to disclose or seek help for personal mental health concerns, and beliefs about the clinician’s role in supporting people affected by these conditions. The items explore comfort in interacting with individuals who have mental illness, perceptions of responsibility, and openness to discussing personal struggles. They also address self stigma and beliefs about whether mental illness should affect how a person is treated in professional or personal settings.
Each statement is rated on a five point scale ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Higher scores generally reflect more stigmatizing attitudes, although the questionnaire includes both positively and negatively phrased items to allow for balanced interpretation. The OMS can be used during clinical training, continuing education programs, mental health initiatives, or organizational quality improvement efforts.
“Reducing stigma among health professionals supports earlier help seeking, more compassionate care, and improved outcomes for individuals experiencing mental illness.”
— National Institute of Mental Health
The brevity and clarity of the OMS make it suitable for a variety of settings, including workshops, staff training sessions, and classroom environments. By encouraging clinicians to reflect on their beliefs, the scale supports discussions that can help reduce stigma and enhance patient centered care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Stigma can discourage people from seeking help, following treatment recommendations, or sharing concerns with loved ones or professionals. It may lead to isolation, shame, or fear of being judged. Reducing stigma supports earlier intervention and better long term outcomes.
Clinicians influence the patient experience, and their attitudes may affect communication, trust, and willingness to explore mental health concerns. Understanding these attitudes helps organizations develop training and programs that promote supportive, compassionate care.
Stigma may stem from misconceptions, lack of exposure, cultural norms, or previous experiences. Limited education on mental health can affect comfort and confidence in discussing mental illness. Increasing awareness and knowledge helps reduce these barriers.
Yes. When individuals feel judged or misunderstood, they may be reluctant to disclose symptoms or continue treatment. Reducing stigma fosters therapeutic relationships in which individuals feel safe discussing their concerns.
Education, skill building, open discussions, and exposure to personal experiences of people living with mental illness can help reduce stigma. When appropriate, medication classes such as antidepressants or anxiolytics may help individuals manage symptoms associated with distress. Organizational support and training promote a culture of compassionate care.
Conclusion
The Opening Minds Stigma Scale is a useful tool that encourages clinicians to reflect on their beliefs and attitudes toward mental illness. By exploring themes such as comfort, compassion, disclosure, and perceptions of responsibility, the OMS supports awareness and stigma reduction in health care settings.
Using the OMS within educational programs, workshops, or professional development activities helps promote understanding and encourages clinicians to consider how stigma may influence patient interactions. The downloadable resource provides the complete set of items and scoring instructions using the download resource button above. The Opening Minds Stigma Scale supports more empathetic communication, improved patient experiences, and greater access to mental health care.
The OMS helps clinicians reflect on their perceptions, support thoughtful conversations, and enhance the delivery of compassionate, patient centered care.