The use of virtual reality to reduce mental health stigma among healthcare and non-healthcare students: a systematic review

Healthcare professionals, including students, may express stigmatising attitudes towards mental illness. Virtual reality is thought to provide a novel insight into the experiences of individuals with mental health conditions and to reduce stigma. This study aims to systematically review the evidence concerning the use of virtual reality as an educational tool to reduce mental health stigma in healthcare and non-healthcare students. Literature searches were conducted across four electronic databases. Studies were eligible if they targeted healthcare or non-healthcare students, used any form of virtual reality, focused on experiences of mental health conditions, and measured changes in stigma-related outcomes. Fifteen studies, of which eight on healthcare students, were included and synthesised narratively. Both immersive and non-immersive virtual reality technologies were used, and most focused on simulations of mental health symptoms. Different outcomes were measured, including stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination, and all studies relied on self-report instruments. There is support for using virtual reality to reduce mental health stigma among healthcare students, but not among non-healthcare students. While non-immersive technologies might be as effective as immersive ones, a focus on psychopathology and a lack of educational information appear to increase stigma. Stereotypes and discriminatory intentions were the outcomes most susceptible to change.