Trevor Banavige Kirkpatrick AP English E September 12, 2013 The Medias Inaccurate Portrayal of Mental Illness The medias

portrayal of mental illness patients has greatly exacerbated many commonly believed rumors and myths from a societal standpoint. Research has shown that many people get their information about mental illness from the mass media (Wahl, 2004) (Tartakovski 1). The media places great emphasis on the potential role mental illness fulfills in some crime. The recent Newtown shooting serves as a great example of the medias fixation on even the slightest possibility the perpetrator has a mental illness. Individuals inflicted with a mental illness are wrongly stereotyped by the media's negative focus, causing these individuals to fear the unjust social consequences of their condition. Among the most absurd of depictions the media has created for mental illness patients is the assertion that all or the majority of crimes committed are done by individuals with a mental illness. While it is true that some mental illnesses have been linked to crime, only about 4% of violent crime can be attributed to people with these ailments (Carey). If that is the case, it is illogical that the media explode into an uproar whenever a crime is committed by someone mentally ill. The explanation likely results from the desire of not only the media, but from society for an explanation regarding these crimes. Often it is much more difficult to conceive an explanation as to why a highly successful or seemingly normal person may have been driven to commit a violent crime. However, in the case of people with mental illnesses, their label serves as an easy explanation that will satisfy the average reader. No one but a deeply disturbed

individual marches into an elementary school or a movie theater and guns down random, innocent people. That hard fact (Carey). The writers claim that this is factual demonstrates the extent to which the media goes to portray all similar crime as the result of mental illness. There are numerous groups besides the mentally ill that are fully capable of committing a similar violent crime, such as those who frequently use drugs and alcohol. In fact, people under the influence of these substances are actually more likely to commit a violent crime than the mentally ill (Beaujon). Therefore, the assertion that only a disturbed individual is capable of such a crime is hyperbolic. The media continuously insinuates that the professionals working in the mental health field, whether to understand it or deal with the afflicted, are incompetent in some manner. This does not only negatively impact the field of psychology as a whole, but aids the notion that mental health patients are unable to overcome their illness and be active members of society. In the aftermath of a shooting, the blame is often shifted onto the psychiatrists for failing to perform what can only be described as impossible acts. The lack of insight into the field of psychology has left society with the notion that psychiatrists are able to cure mental illness or predict when a patient of theirs may commit a crime (Tartakovsky). This attitude was especially prevalent immediately after the Newtown shooting, when many news outlets questioned why Adam Lanzas psychiatrist was unable to predict such a horrific shooting. Additionally, many news channels often criticize therapists lack of foresight despite meeting with these people, when it is not always possible to predetermine these events. Tartakovsky demonstrates, Famous therapists like Dr. Phil and Dr. Drew also perpetuate the many misconceptions surrounding mental illness and how therapy actually works. For instance, they tend to make sweeping statements about everyone struggling with a specific mental illness. The failing of the news media to accurately

portray mental illness is a completely separate issue from celebrity members of the field doing it. It is much more likely that the average person would watch these two television shows than search for information on their own. As a result of the claims made by these influential therapists, people are left with misleading statements and exaggerated ideas that do not apply to all individuals suffering from mental illness. Another major aspect regarding the portrayal of these experts is how those who could benefit from their help react. Tartakovsky asserts, There are people out there who could benefit from therapy but dont go because they think its just for crazy people or think all therapists are nuts because thats what they see in the media. Furthermore, the media is guilty of portraying mental illness as an irregularity to the extent that it is often perceived as something foreign or rare, to the point that the mentally ill are often harassed and isolated from others in society. In actuality, 46% of Americans experience some type of diagnosable mental illness or substance-abuse disorder during their lifetime (Beaujon). Such significant numbers demonstrate the relative frequency mental illness occurs in people. Despite these facts, mental health issues remain exotic and distant (Beaujon), even in the newsroom. It is because people are uninformed about the issue as a whole that they are unable to see mental illness is similar to physical illness. This notion that mental illness is uncommon further frightens the afflicted. In a society that often pressures others to conform and maliciously condemns and shuns the different, those needing help often fear the opinions of others. For instance, a man by the name Christopher Burke was violently attacked by another who referred to him as a retard. Burke experiences an irregularity in the form of his hydrocephalous, resulting in an oddly proportioned head. This was abused by his aggressor to justify his act of violence. Therein lies the importance of people realizing that mental illness is in fact not obscure or irregular. Tartakovsky explains how The medias job is entertainment, not

education What we see on TV or in the movies is therefore several times more dramatic, dangerous, condensed, frightening and/or bizarre than reality. By focusing on what can be classified as more exciting, many aspects regarding the state of mental illness patients are exaggerated or ignored. For example, topics regarding the state of mental hospitals and government funding for programs remain unpopular despite their extreme importantance. The media has overwhelmingly failed in their responsibility to provide society with an accurate portrayal of mental illness. An innumerable amount of people depend on media for information, and are misled by the myths and falsehoods that saturate it. The media has formed and maintained stereotypes as a result of their persistent focus on negative occurrences, creating a social stigma that targets people with mental illnesses. Countless individuals that could be treated for their mental illness are instead suffering in an attempt to hide its existence. It is crucial that the media make a dramatic shift in its portrayal of mental illness in an attempt to save those that hide under societal pressures.

Works Cited

Beaujon, Andrew. "How can we explain shootings if we dont report on mental illness?." Poynter. Poynter, 17 Dec 2012. Web. 16 Sep 2013. <http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/mediawire/198261/how-can-we-explain-shootingsif-we-dont-report-on-mental-illness/>. Benedict, Carey, and Hartocollis Anemona. "Warning Signs of Violent Acts Often Unclear." New York Times15 January 2013, New York A1. Web. 16 Sep. 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/16/health/breaking-link-of-violence-and-mentalillness.html?pagewanted=2>. Moore, Charles. "A terrible truth: it's natural to pick on the weak." The Telegraph. N.p., 25 Oct 2010. Web. 16 Sep 2013. <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/charlesmoore/8084898/A-terribletruth-its-natural-to-pick-on-the-weak-and-disabled.html>. Tartakovsky, Margarita. "Media's Damaging Depictions of Mental Illness." PsychCentral. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sep 2013. <http://psychcentral.com/lib/medias-damaging-depictions-ofmental-illness/0002220/2>. Tartakovsky, Margarita. "The Media and Mental Illness: The Good, the Bad and the Ridiculous."PsychCentral. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sep 2013. <http://psychcentral.com/lib/themedia-and-mental-illness-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ridiculous/00010192>.