Guidelines for mental illness in media
Washington’s Mental Health Transformation Project and the University of Washington School of Social Work announced the launch of two new information resources to help Washington State media report on mental health and mental illness.
The resources include a new Web site (mentalhealthreporting.org) and a newly published “Media Guide to Reporting on Mental Illness.”
“We’d like news organizations and the entertainment industry to understand the important role they play in shaping public opinions about people living with mental illness,” said Jennifer Stuber, PhD, an assistant professor at the University of Washington school of social work who conducted the study.
She focuses her research on the social detriments of health and mental health and proposed strategies to address the root causes of stigma and prejudice.
The new guide and Web site were created after a content analysis of 856 news stories over a 10-year period showed news stories often use derogatory terms and negative stereotypes to describe people living with mental illness.
Stuber said inaccurate portrayals of mental illness in the news influence public attitudes and lead to negative consequences for people with mental illness, including discrimination in employment or in finding a home.
“The new resources contain tips for journalists, helping them address a wider range of stories on mental health and how to avoid the use of stereotypical language,” Stuber said. “That will lead to improvements in the public’s understanding of mental illness in Washington state.”
Facts about recovering from a mental illness
Fact 1: Many studies show most people with mental illnesses get better and many recover completely. With support, between 70 and 90 percent of individuals have a significant reduction of symptoms, an improved quality of life and find a satisfying measure of achievement and independence.
Fact 2: Today, psychosocial and pharmacological treatments for individuals even with serious mental illness are highly effective.
Fact 3: Effective treatment for people with mental illness varies depending on the individual.
Fact 4: Positive response to treatment for mental illness is higher than for many physical illnesses.
To learn more about recovery from mental illness, go to www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/sma05-4129/.
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She (Ms Stuber) focuses her research on the social detriments of health and mental health and proposed strategies to address the root causes of “stigma” and prejudice.
OK, she validates “stigma.” How is that a “guideline?” May I now quote her, as a media representative would, that there is this “stigma?”
Please, what is her current teaching on rape, “stigma” or not? Enquiring minds want to know.
“Women do not offer ‘stimga’ for rape, nor do editors. Stuber is a woman, ergo… ” (Well, one has a logical expectation of) “…, ergo Stuber does not offer it at all.”
Editors: The term “stigmatizing” is contained within the term discrimination, it is but one form discrimination takes. MS Stuber is on a crusade to assure the term “stimga” has print. It is not a noble cause.
Harold A. Maio, retired Mental Health Editor
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