The Media Portrayal Of Mental Health: Boon Or Bane?

The Media Portrayal Of Mental Health
  • Research reveals the negative impact of incorrect media portrayal of mental health.
  • Experts warn how such portrayals fuel mental health stigmatization and misinformation.

Mental health is more important in today’s world. And the media has a powerful role to play in shaping public perception and understanding of mental health and mental healthcare.

Unfortunately, most portrayals of mental health in media and pop culture tend to be inaccurate, thereby contributing to negative stereotypes and beliefs about people with mental illness.

Mental Health In Films

The portrayal of mental illness in film is typical—with mental health disorders being used as a broader metaphor for societal issues or personal struggles and a plot device to create dramatic effect and tension.

Certain cinematic works also directly address mental illness, its impact on individuals and their families, and the process of seeking help for mental health challenges (like therapy, hospitalization, and medication). However, frequently such films fall short of leaving a mark.

For instance, iconic films like Psycho (1960) and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) have run into hot waters over the years for the prejudiced portrayal of people with mental illness as “dangerous” and “violent”.

Recently, Joker (2019) was criticized for its perceived attack on therapy and dismissal of the mentally ill as “hypersensitive”, “tragic”, and “hopeless”.

In contrast, films like Good Will Hunting (1997), Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), Black Swan (2010), The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012), and Spencer (2021) have gained ground for more nuanced and positive portrayals of mental health conditions and associated symptoms like isolation, memory problems, etc.

Portrayal Of Mental Health On TV

Fictional and non-fictional series broadcasted over television or streaming platforms also show a significant degree of mental health awareness. Netflix’s Fleabag (2016), 13 Reasons Why (2017), Midnight Club (2022), and Wednesday (2022) have gained critical acclaim for the positive portrayal of mental health issues.

Several celebrities like Selena Gomez, Lady Gaga, and Prince Harry have also come out with biographical documentaries that sensitively chronicle their mental health struggles against depression, eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder, anxiety, and so forth.

Sadly, critics are yet to say the same for reality TV. It is skewed with the glorification of negative and maladaptive behavior, emotional dysfunction, unhealthy lifestyles, and constant conflict. This kind of television often leads their audience into admiring behavioral and thought patterns that are harmful to mental health.

News networks also degenerate the importance of mental health into occasional and half-hearted mentions. They minimize the broadcasting of important issues like mental health policies, new treatment methods, mental health programs, etc.

This decreases the potential of news outlets when it comes to spreading mental health awareness and developing conversations around mental health.

Social Media Portrayal Of Mental Health

Social media has become an important platform for discussing and sharing information about mental health. While social media can be a valuable resource for individuals seeking support and information, it can also perpetuate harmful stereotypes and misinformation about mental health.

Studies reveal that social media can be an effective platform for individuals to share their personal stories and experiences with mental health challenges.

This can be empowering and help reduce stigma. It can also be a powerful tool for promoting mental health awareness and making psychiatric resources accessible to those in need.

However, mental health and social media are sometimes inversely related. Social media trends like “heroin chic bodies”, glitzy influencer culture, trolling, and cyberbullying can trigger eating disorders, body image issues, compulsive buying disorder, social media addiction, low self-esteem, self-harm tendencies, and suicidality.

Mental health can also be the subject of memes and jokes on social media, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and trivializing the seriousness around it in the process. In some cases, it can be a gamut of misinformation, providing inaccurate information about causes, treatments, and symptoms.

Positive Vs Negative Portrayal Of Mental Illness In The Media

The media portrayal of mental health is endless and its consumption considerably sways the public perception of mental wellness. Therefore, it is mandatory to distinguish between negative and positive portrayals of mental illness in the media.

For instance, understanding which internet challenge is harmful to mental health and which is not can help you navigate social media platforms more healthily.

In fact, while using social media, we should strive to use it in a way that promotes understanding, support, and accurate information about mental health challenges.

By doing so, we can make the proper use of media in reducing the harmful effects of stigma and discrimination, and create a more supportive environment for people with mental health conditions.

Know More About –

  1. Social Media And Mental Health
  2. Social Media Addiction
  3. Self-Esteem
  1. 18 Reasons Why Social Media Makes Us Hate Ourselves
  2. The Curse Of Binge Watching: Why “Netflix And Chill” Is Ruining Your Life
  3. How Influencers Use The Psychology of Covert Content
Up Next

The Pitfalls Of Social Media Oversharing In Sharenting

The Pitfalls Of Social Media Oversharing

Sharenting may include the social media oversharing of children’s information by parents.

It carries a number of risks to children’s privacy, safety, and mental health.

What Is Sharenting?

With the advent of social media, it has become common for parents to share updates about their children's milestones, achievements, and everyday activities online.

Sharenting is a term used to describe the practice of parents sharing information, photos, and videos about their children on social media platforms. It is a combination


READ FULL ARTICLE ⇲
Up Next

Silent Struggle: Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of Infertility

Exploring The Emotional Impact Of Infertility

With the rising rates of sterility, studies highlight the emotional impact of infertility.

Experts recommend seeking medical help for coping with this condition.

What Is Infertility?

Infertility is a medical condition that affects the reproductive system and can make it difficult or impossible to conceive a child. It is estimated that infertility affects around 10-15% of couples worldwide, and can be caused by a variety of factors, such as:

Hormonal imbalances


READ FULL ARTICLE ⇲
Up Next

Relationship Jet Lag: How Time Differences Can Affect Your Relationship?

Relationship Jet Lag

Relationship jet lag means partner issues arising from differences in schedules and time zones.

Experts recommend ways of how to be in a long-distance relationship and avoid relationship problems.

What Is Relationship Jet Lag?

Relationship jet lag refers to a phenomenon in which partners experience a mismatch in their circadian rhythms due to time differences and/or differing sleep schedules.

Causes Of Relationship Jet Lag In Long-distance Relationships

Relationship jet lag can oc


READ FULL ARTICLE ⇲
Up Next

Is TikTok’s “Marriage After Baby” Trend Really Eye-Opening?

TikTok's Marriage After Baby Trend

A new TikTok trend promotes the idea of “marriage after baby”.

This raised a debate on the pros and cons of marital and premarital parenthood.

What Is Premarital Parenthood?

Premarital parenthood is the type of parenthood in which a couple shares a biological child before marriage. This is in contrast to married parenthood in which a couple welcomes a baby after marriage.

Tiktok's “Marriage After Baby” Trend

A recent TikTok trend promoted the idea of “marriage after baby” for both


READ FULL ARTICLE ⇲
Up Next

The Mozart Effect And The Healing Powers Of Music

The Mozart Effect And The Healing Powers Of Music

Music therapy is an emerging non-pharmacological therapy that treats mental health issues.

One of its prominent theories is the Mozart effect which highlights the health benefits of listening to classical music.

Understanding Music Therapy

Music therapy is a type of therapy that uses the healing powers of music to treat certain physical disabilities and mental disorders. It draws from the recreational and socio-cultural dimensions of music while also harnessing the neuroscience-based therapeutic benefits of music in the process of treatment.


READ FULL ARTICLE ⇲
Keanu Reeves: A Look into His Journey with Mental Health Why Amanda Bynes Was Placed on Psychiatric Hold? The Unseen Struggle: Princess Diana’s Battle With An Eating Disorder Iconic Movie Actresses and Histrionic Personality Disorder: Exploring Complexity Hikikomori: Understanding The Japanese Culture-Bound Syndrome Is Brendan Fraser’s Oscar-Win Also A Mental Health Success Story? Are Chefs at Higher Risk of Mental Illness and Suicide? Can A Good Walk In The Woods Clear Your Head? What Is The Link Between Criminality And Sexual Fetishism? Cooking Therapy: Nourishing Our Minds And Souls At The Same Time? Social Media Narcissism And What It Means For Young Adults How Space Travel Induces Depression, Anxiety, And Psychosis In Astronauts?