Stigma in the media

The media plays a crucial role in combating stigma. Its influence and ability to shape societal perceptions compel the journalistic sector to be especially responsible when discussing mental health . For years, mental health organizations have provided tools, advice, and training to prevent the media from trivializing and further stigmatizing people with mental health conditions. Choosing the right language is vital to avoid reinforcing stereotypes and perpetuating stigma.

There are some recurring errors in the media , as explained in the Media Guide prepared by Obertament :

• Treating mental health issues as a frequent or isolated phenomenon.
• To speak of people with a mental health diagnosis as violent, dangerous, or unpredictable.
• Using generalizing expressions, such as "the mentally ill are" or "schizophrenics behave"
• Treating people with mental health problems with compassion and paternalism.
• Confusing a mental disorder with a mental disability or dementia.
• Consider that these are disabled people, that mental disorders are incurable and that they prevent them from having a normal life.
• Illustrating information about mental health with images that convey social isolation, suffering, darkness, or that evoke compassion or rejection.
• Using schizophrenic or bipolar to refer to dual or multiple personality disorder is incorrect. Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are not personality disorders. Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder, and bipolar disorder is a mood disorder.

Some recommendations for the media are:

• Choosing the right language to describe people with mental health problems.
• Use first-person accounts, as they help break down myths and stereotypes. Include experiences of recovery, personal growth, and returning to a normal life.
• Mental disorder should not be linked as the cause of violence or dangerousness in a real or fictional person.
• Avoid showing images or audio that convey social isolation, suffering, compassion, or rejection.
• Encourage people to seek help if they believe they may have a mental health problem.