Mental Health and Media

[Dove]

Hello everyone,


How do you think media despicts Mental Health issues over all? The question came after I read a photoplasty on cracked (dot) com, in which people made pictures of what the media uses to entretain us. And there are a lot of shows that are focused on people with mental issues. One might think it's great, because it exposes our daily struggles, but I believe it works just to feed other people's morbidity.

 

[pwarbi]

There used to be a massive stigma attached to people that suffered from mental illness, but thankfully I do think that things are getting better in that respect. Here in the UK especially, we are seeing more and more campaigns trying to make people aware that mental illness is just the same as any other illness and it's not something to be ashamed of. Suicide due to mental illness is the biggest killer of men under 45 over here in the UK, and since that fact came out I do think that people, and especially men, are taking mental illness a lot more seriously and that is helped by it becoming more talked about in the media as well.

 

[Alex]

Recently, mental health has had a more sympathetic approach due to celebrity suicides from depression, but there is still the stigma in the workplace. The media does highlight the issue of a lack of funding and therapy, more for younger people, but depression happens at all ages and help shouldn't be limited to only the young.


Television shows and movies can go either way, as sometimes the character with mental health issues is the convict or the baddie, which doesn't help.

 

[Dove]

Recently, mental health has had a more sympathetic approach due to celebrity suicides from depression, but there is still the stigma in the workplace. The media does highlight the issue of a lack of funding and therapy, more for younger people, but depression happens at all ages and help shouldn't be limited to only the young.
Television shows and movies can go either way, as sometimes the character with mental health issues is the convict or the baddie, which doesn't help.

Of all the celebrities suicides from depression, I think the one that has made more people learn about depression is Robbie Williams's. Everyone loved him and his job, my childhood memories were tied to his movies, just like many other people. Realizing that someone that made other people happy could have been suffering so much has been somewhat a shock to everyone.

 

[stephonline]

I know that a lot of people are still afraid to talk about mental illness and they like to sweep it all under the rug. I am glad that the media is starting to recognize that a lot of people are depressed and they are putting out movies about people with depression. It makes me feel less alone and I get happy to see people getting help and working on themselves. Just look at the new Maria Bamford show on Netflix. It is all about how she battled mental illness while working in Hollywood. I love it.

 

[17emilyhalko]

I think that the media really makes a mixed depiction of mental health. I very rarely feel that their depiction of mental health is completely on point; many times I feel that it's romanticized or depicted in such a way that it could be dismissed as something that isn't as truly bad as it really is. Many times, suicide, for example, in the media is depicted in a way such as: beautiful girl is misunderstood by those around her, she cries and tries to overdose on pills, maybe her mascara runs, but otherwise she looks completely together. Many times the media won't depict what is between that, the days leading up to it, the inner fight that everyone goes through. Media doesn't depict the weeks where you gradually change and become someone else and do things out of the ordinary. They won't depict the days where you claw at your skin or lose or gain weight in a short period of time, when you stop taking baths and showers, when you stop washing and changing your clothes. When you do stupid things that are out of the ordinary for you, or cut your hair, or as you spiral into self-destruction and start hiding away from others, whatever it is that you decide to hide behind, whether it is an object, place, or addiction. They never depict when you, all of the sudden, realize that everything is simple, really, and that suicide is your last way to control yourself and the situation around you. You eventually stop crying and then just do it. Suicide isn't beautiful, and I am lucky and happy to be alive after a suicide attempt about a year ago. Media doesn't depict the inner fight and struggle that persists before any attempt, and much less the struggle afterwards. In the media, when you prevent someone from suicide, its usually happily-ever-after, but it isn't like that in real life. You might be in a hospital for a few days, and then in a mental hospital for a week or so, where you cannot contact your friends or most of your family. What happens after a suicide attempt is sometimes more horrifying than what happened before it.

 

[Dove]

stephonline I'm gonna make sure I watch it. I think of all the pieces of media, the one that truly shows what's going on is documentaries. Fine, the purpose of those pieces is showing things as they are, however,there are many ways in which you can twist the truth.


17emilyhalko I'm so sorry you had to go through that, but at the same time, I am so proud of you, how you overcame the difficulties around you. Keep going strong!


But yes, I think your comment on the media is spot on.

 

[whysewserious]

I may have read the same or a similar cracked article. Was it the one that talked about the way movies portray mental illnesses incorrectly?


I know these are not easy things for anyone to talk about, but I love seeing articles like that because, I feel, mental health concerns are becoming less taboo to talk about. Most people experience something on their own or know someone that does. The more we talk about these topics, and talk about them accurately, the less stigma will be attached to it.


Talking about things made massive changes in civil rights for all different types of classes (let's not make this a political thing, please); eventually, the right talk can do the same for mental health.

 

[Mewallison]

I think one of the mental illnesses that is most inaccurately depicted is bipolar disorder. I'm sure everyone has seen it on multiple occasions, people calling themselves bipolar because they happened to have a mood swing. I don't even think I've ever seen a positive, let alone accurate, depiction of bipolar disorder in the media. I wish I could let the whole world know that bipolar isn't a synonym for crazy.

 

[Dove]

whysewserious Yes, that very same. It was a photoplasty.


Mewallison There is this show I really like called Shameless. I don't know how accurate it portrays it, but there are two characters that do have bipolar disorder, but it feels somewhat accurate to me. It has shown some psychotic burst, but it has shown as well the character during medication, leading a normal life, and the phases before the burst.

 

[sorrowscall]

Mental health in media tends to get used the same way everything else is used in media. There's a wide range of how it's used based on who is in charge of that specific piece of media and his, her, or that group's view of how the mental health should be portrayed. Unfortunately, that means its impossible to pinpoint specifically how it's portrayed in all media. However, as a personal opinion, I think it's usually tastelessly showed as a comedy.

 

[kgord]

I haven't necessarily paid attention to how mental helath is portrayed in the media but I am going to pay more attention because I think it is important to do so. As long as it is a realistic portrayal that is really all I care about. I think there are accurate portrayals out there that can benefit those who suffer. I think that is what needs to happen with the media.

 

[HappyKoi]

The media does promote a lot of stereotypes. For example, someone with an eating disorder has to be skeletal (and on the other hand, it's a good thing to have if it keeps you skinny), people who have schizophrenia are violent and have multiple personalities, people with mental health issues are only seeking attention, etc. Then you have things like, "Oh I like my desk to be neat I'm so OCD." The worst one for me is the people who romanticize having disorders like depression or codependency or Antisocial Personality Disorder as being "dark" or "edgy". It's not romantic, it's not beautiful, it's not fun, it's not cool, and it's not something you are specifically on the lookout for in a romantic partner. That really upsets me.

 

[John Snort]

Mental health for most people is still a recondite subject. The media focuses more on one mental health issue — depression — and rarely shines the spotlight on other mental health issues: social anxiety, ptsd and others. This is one reason why most people who have mental illnesses never seek help because they don't what they have can be treated. And there's also the fact that the media mostly seeks sensational stories and many of these often depict people with mental illnesses as violent. If they did their job right, the absence of the negative stereotypes would probably make people more willing to admit they have a mental illness and they'd probably seek help early.

 

[CT422]

Mental health for most people is still a recondite subject. The media focuses more on one mental health issue — depression — and rarely shines the spotlight on other mental health issues: social anxiety' date=' ptsd and others. This is one reason why most people who have mental illnesses never seek help because they don't what they have can be treated. And there's also the fact that the media mostly seeks sensational stories and many of these often depict people with mental illnesses as violent. If they did their job right, the absence of the negative stereotypes would probably make people more willing to admit they have a mental illness and they'd probably seek help early.[/quote']
This is one of the main problems I have with how the media treats mental illness. When they paint everyone with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder as violent, it just contributes to the stigma against mental illness. For people whose job it is to reflect life (albeit most times an idealistic version of it), They really seem to suck at research and even sometimes basic empathy. The good news about that though, is that it makes finding something respectful and realistic all the more satisfying.

 

[Dove]

Mental health for most people is still a recondite subject. The media focuses more on one mental health issue — depression — and rarely shines the spotlight on other mental health issues: social anxiety' date=' ptsd and others. This is one reason why most people who have mental illnesses never seek help because they don't what they have can be treated. And there's also the fact that the media mostly seeks sensational stories and many of these often depict people with mental illnesses as violent. If they did their job right, the absence of the negative stereotypes would probably make people more willing to admit they have a mental illness and they'd probably seek help early.[/quote']
I think the last sentence of your response is the most important one. Communicators, journalist and even entertainment can be used to influence people's view on certain issues. If they perpetuate the idea that people with Mental Health issues are inherently bad, why would you want to admit even to yourself there is something you need to treat?

 

[djanx]

I agree that there is a stigma involved. But, it depends on how many people know. I think just like any other part of our health, mental or psychological issues should also be guarded well as a secret. I know a woman at work who'd gone "mad" for a few weeks after she lost her child. But, she recovered and has been normal for 2 decades now. Back then she would have faced a lot of "looks" had she told anyone. But she told about it only recently and none of us judged her or anything. We've worked with her for almost 5 years and we know that she's great.


The media is just a reflection of who we are as a society. I have seen Autism patients being treated poorly by the FSA and that's just not right. I mean we must sensitize the media as well as all government agencies to treat people properly, especially those who've mental challenges. And maybe more of the funding should actually go towards dealing with mental health issues than on wars.

 

[Dove]

I agree that there is a stigma involved. But, it depends on how many people know. I think just like any other part of our health, mental or psychological issues should also be guarded well as a secret. I know a woman at work who'd gone "mad" for a few weeks after she lost her child. But, she recovered and has been normal for 2 decades now. Back then she would have faced a lot of "looks" had she told anyone. But she told about it only recently and none of us judged her or anything. We've worked with her for almost 5 years and we know that she's great.
The media is just a reflection of who we are as a society. I have seen Autism patients being treated poorly by the FSA and that's just not right. I mean we must sensitize the media as well as all government agencies to treat people properly, especially those who've mental challenges. And maybe more of the funding should actually go towards dealing with mental health issues than on wars.

Honestly, I don't think she went mad, it was just the grief that can manifest in different ways. If some shocks can be the cause of depression, I don't see how they cannot be the cause of other manifestations. I'm glad it worked out at the end for her.

 

[Alexandoy]

Mental health is a big issue here but not what you think. When someone wants to ridicule you,  your mental health may be used to bully you. In fact one presidential candidate was branded to have mental health problems. One name calling is Brenda which is a coined word to mean brain damage.  Our media here seems to be aware of the delicate topic involving mental health.