A role for media in reducing the stigma of mental illness

This dissertation aims to illuminate the role of media in the reduction of mental illness stigma. The media has a long history of perpetuating the stigma of mental illness in film and television. In more recent years, with the help of media psychologists and mental health consultants, an effort has been made to reduce mental illness stigma in the media. The research presented in this literature review has three goals: (a) to examine whether or not the portrayals of mental illness in film and television have improved in offering more educational and accurate portrayals, (b) to discuss the myths and stereotypes perpetuated by the media and how they affect the viewer and mental illness stigma, and (c) to identify the efforts by media professionals and mental health professionals to collaborate to reduce mental illness stigma. The outcome is a PowerPoint presentation addressing the history of the relationship between media and mental health, the effect of mental illness stigma on society, the role of media psychologists and mental health consultants in reducing the mental illness stigma, and a practical framework for clinicians to understand the preconceptions that are held by society, i.e., nature of mental illness, mental health professionals and therapy. Field consultants were interviewed to obtain further information on the nature of media consultation services and the ways in which they are being utilized to reduce the stigma of mental illness. Limitations of the research are offered, as well as future directions for suggested research on the topic.