How do you report on mental distress?

ACCORDING to the charity Open Up, part of Mental Health Media, media reports and headlines use strong and hurtful language to portray people with experience of mental distress as 'dangerous', 'unpredictable', and 'violent'.

These messages are said to have a significant impact on people's assumptions and their opinions on issues like community care and the incidence of violent crimes that are committed by people with experience of mental distress.

I've just become an advisor with Open Up in the West Midlands and look forward to working with them on projects to raise awareness and help sufferers tell their stories to combat discrimination and prejudice.

Comments

[Paul Groves]

Looks like a great project and timely.
Despite the condemnation of the Sun's infamous treatment of Frank Bruno a few years back, I don't see that there has been much in the way of progress in the way the media tackles mental health issues.
I still find print media regards mental health as one of the last taboo subjects which they would prefer to steer clear of completely. If they do cover it, the approach lurches between the ignorant and the sensationalised.
But I also feel some of the worst offenders are on TV, mainly because of the choice of images they use when covering stories and the superficiality of the items they carry.

[Linda]

Hi Paul, thanks for commenting, as I understand it, one of the main aims is to get people to tell their own stories so I will be 'putting my money where my mouth is' (if that's the right expression!) and speaking up about my own experience of depression.