Information for Participants in the Survey on
Exploring the Stigmatization Experience of Youth with Mental
Health Conditions and Their Caregivers

Who is conducting this survey?
This survey is being conducted by the Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children’s Mental Health at Portland State University: www.rtc.pdx.edu.

What is the purpose of the survey?
The purpose of this study is to document experiences of stigmatization in young persons with mental health conditions and their caregivers. The results of this survey will be reported in an upcoming issue of Focal Point, Research, Policy, and Practice in Children's Mental Health, a research review which is published semi-annually by the Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health (RTC).

Are there risks involved?
Because the survey is completely anonymous, risks are minimal and limited to discomfort that may arise when thinking about issues related to experiences with stigmatization.

How are participants protected against this risk?
Participants are explicitly encouraged to leave the survey at any time if they experience discomfort, become upset, or for any reason don’t want to continue. It should also be noted that the survey includes questions that prompt participants to think about positive experiences as well as negative ones.

Are there any benefits?
The main benefit of this survey is that it will provide the readers of Focal Point with an understanding of the prevalence and circumstances of stigmatization of children with mental health conditions and their caregivers. Taking the survey (or reading the results) may cause participants to realize that this phenomenon is not unusual, and therefore participants may feel that they are not the only ones who experience this and it may make them feel less isolated. Participants will also be asked about their successes in coping, and this may provide them with positive feelings about themselves.

What if I have other questions?
If you have questions about the survey, please contact Janet Walker at janetw@pdx.edu
For questions or information about your rights as a research participant, contact the Human Subjects Research Review Committee at Portland State University:
• 503-725-4288 (1-877-480-4400)
• hsrrc@lists.pdx.edu