Media representation of mental illness

We all know that the media has power over anyone, like anyone. Many underestimate how powerful the capacity of media is. Social media and news outlets hold a large weight over much of the world. However, the issue regarding the representation of mental illness was not something that really struck me until the uproar and controversy that arose after the announcement of season 1 of Thirteen Reasons Why ( who currently have finished season 3 and are implementing new measures in the conversation). For some context, it delves into the story of a young girl in high school, Hannah Baker, who commits suicide and creates 13 tapes, each for one person, she states, that have contributed to her death. The show explores each person and as a whole, the after-effects of her death on the people she loved and the town and high school itself. Thanks to my seminar class ( shoutout to Mr.Brooks), I’m going to begin by analyzing the multiple viewpoints and perspectives over this show. The show creators itself intended the show to promote awareness, and I think it definitely sparked a huge conversation online, which means the show did do some good. But, many media outlets and people believed it glorified and romanticized suicide. This is why it is highly important to be careful when discussing these issues. Even the tiniest things matter. For example, I would be quite rich if I got a dollar every time someone just said “I’m gonna kill myself” or “He/she is faking depression”. Things like these might be said in a light manner, however, it can not only make it more difficult for people suffering from opening up and getting encouraged to help, but it can lose how it is perceived in the eyes of many, and people who are seriously suffering might not be taken with utmost seriousness. Furthermore, media tends to depict people with mental illness as dangerous, scary, and other negative ways, contributing to the stigma around mental health in general. All in all, every issue deserves proper representation and should be talked about, but with the right terminology, right message, and done in seriousness with care and respect towards the issue. Make sure to educate those who feed into the preeminent stigma and explain to the people around you why it is so important to not stray away from mental health. When you discuss mental health, make sure to be considerate of how you discuss it. Not just in the media but with your friends and family. Mental health is a conversation that many people need to have, but it is a difficult one. I'm including some resources on how to discuss these topics in general and incase anyone wants to do further research.

LINKS:

• https://www.verywellmind.com/mental-health-stigmas-in-mass-media-4153888

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6198586/

• https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/October-2017/Stigmatizing-Media-Portrayals-What-Can-We-Do

• https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/category/blog/media-tv-and-newspapers

• https://afsp.org/story/how-to-start-and-continue-a-conversation-about-mental-health-a-realconvo-guide-fr

--Sammy