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StigmaBeat: End stigma associated with mental health challenges
Last updated: 14 August 2026
StigmaBeat is a research and community development initiative that aims to combat mental health and intersectional stigma. This collaboration between young people from rural Gippsland, Monash University and other academic partners, and Satellite Foundation, has resulted in the codesign of resources which share insights and perspectives on the various kinds of stigma many rural young people experience day-to-day, as well as contributing to research and the generation of new knowledge that can be used to inform future policies, practice and research.
We want – and more importantly, young people want – these resources to be shared widely.
A series of short films:
These films are designed to help those who live and work alongside young people, to understand the challenges young people can face, including from those who mean well. StigmaBeat participants noted that many of the places they experienced stigma were locations where they should be safe, e.g. schools, workplaces, healthcare and social support services. These videos can be used in such settings to:
- show other young people that they’re not alone in how they feel or what they experience.
- understand some of the seemingly innocuous ways judgement and fear can affect conversations and relationships.
- spark conversations about how stigma shows up in communities, and the collective effort needed to address it.
Below is a short description of the films as well as prompts and questions to guide deeper thinking.
1. An Introduction to Stigmabeat
This film provides an overview of the project, including insights directly from young people about the experience of taking part in StigmaBeat.
- What surprised you about what was shared in the film?
- What do you think young people in your local area would say about judgement and stigma?
2. Stigma Stevie
An animation about a young person’s experiences of different kinds of stigma and a stigma-fighting superhero that needs a hand. The story and characters were developed from StigmaBeat participants’ ideas and approved by them in the creation process.
- Can you think of other places where stigma can occur? From who?
- Where do you think you can help point out or disrupt stigma more?
- Where and how do you think you can check on your own bias and stigma?
3. Photo stories
StigmaBeat participants shared photos taken of something or someplace that represents being free of judgement and stigma.
- What would you take a photo of to represent a world free of stigma?
- What themes did you notice between different photo stories?
- Can you share this video with your workplace or community? What conversations might it spark?
The Infographic
“Creating stigma-free spaces is everyone’s responsibility”
This infographic Illustrates the key values, principles and practice that lead to the creation of the safe (enough) space in which transformative change occurred within the StigmaBeat Project.
It is designed to be digestible, visually appealing and interesting to young people and those who work with them. This image can be used as a reminder of ‘how’ to create such spaces, ultimately helping communities thrive and benefitting everyone.
It will also be used to support a further publication which describes the individual and collective narratives of the young people before, during and after taking part in the StigmaBeat project.
The publications
The StigmaBeat project has contributed towards international research on mental health stigma, including new knowledge on epistemic injustice. The publications can be accessed here:
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- Reupert, A., Gladstone, B., Helena Hine, R., Yates, S., McGaw, V., Charles, G., Drost, L. and Foster, K. (2021), Stigma in relation to families living with parental mental illness: An integrative review. Int. J. Mental Health Nurs., 30: 6-26. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.12820
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- Hine R, Gladstone B, Reupert A, et al. StigmaBeat: Collaborating with Rural Young People to Co-Design Films Aimed at Reducing Mental Health Stigma. Qualitative Health Research. 2024;34(6):491-506. doi:10.1177/10497323231211454
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- Yates, S., Gladstone, B., Foster, K., Silvén Hagström, A., Reupert, A., O’Dea, L., Cuff, R., McGaw, V., & Hine, R. (2024). Epistemic injustice in experiences of young people with parents with mental health challenges. Sociology of Health & Illness, 46(4), 702–721. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9566.13730
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- Anneli Silvén Hagström, Violette McGaw, Scott Yates, Lotti O’Dea, Andrea Reupert, Rose Cuff, Leanne Vuong, Rochelle Hine, ‘I’m just one soldier of many in the battle against stigma’: Young people’s experiences developing an anti-stigma resource, The British Journal of Social Work, Volume 56, Issue 3, May 2026, Pages 805–825, https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcaf107
Contributors
Dr Rochelle Hine
Dr Violette McGaw
Associate Professor Scott Yates
Associate Professor Anneli Silvén Hagström
Professor Kim Foster
Associate Professor Brenda Gladstone
Professor Andrea Rupert
Lotti O’Dea
Leanne Vuong
Mia Boonen
Rose Cuff
Harley Goodes
Jess Coburn
Matilda Parker
Zerah Munir
Kc McEwan
Young people from Gippsland, Victoria
