Examples Of Misrepresented In The Media

The author provides evidence from different studies completed throughout the years. The author’s arguments and basic assumptions are valid. With the large amount of information provided in the chapter it bakes and valid the authors assumptions and arguments. The author’s argument did not have to persuade me. It did however give me more information to believe the system and policy dealing with mental illness individuals is flawed.

The stigma’s greatest advocate is the general public’s ignorance on the subject of Schizophrenia. That coupled with the media’s portrayal of Schizophrenia leads to an unfounded stigma that society perpetuates (Ellison et al 341). One of the universal facts about mankind is that they have a fear of the unknown. In relation to Schizophrenia, the unknown is the illness itself and following that scenario, the lack of knowledge leads to a fear of the illness. Due to the lack of knowledge about the true nature of the illness, the general public is more inclined to allow other information to fill in the void.

Anna Quindlen in the article, “The C Word in the Hallway” argues that mental illness don’t get enough awareness or help that it actually needs. Quindlen supports her argument by using similes, tone and bias’ to state that many teachers are not trained to recognize mental illness and so some just dismiss it and so that leaves “over two thirds of the mentally disturbed children without any help”. Insurance also does not aid in covering the costs because “health insurance plans do not provide coverage for necessary treatment”, or if they do then they think that they should “penalize those who need a psychiatrist instead of an oncologist”. The author's purpose in writing this was to inform people about the scary reality that many kids and teens face today and to argue that it is nothing to joke about and that it needs to be taken seriously.  

In the book Girl, Interrupted, by Susanna Kaysen, one of the biggest focal points is mental illness. Mental illness can be tough to talk about, simply because the phrase “mental illness” encompasses such a wide range of conditions and conjures up images of deranged people, but it is very important, especially in this book. There is a certain stigma that people who are put into mental hospitals because they have medical problems or are insane and a possible danger to society. While this is sometimes true, it is far more common for patients to need help for a disorder, but just don’t know where to go or what to do, and can end up putting themselves or someone else in danger.

When people hear the words, “mental illness,” they think of insane asylums and psychiatric wards, but that’s not necessarily the case. Yes, back in the 1800’s they did have asylums for people with mental disorders. But that was when doctors didn’t fully understand mental illnesses and disorders. But currently, doctors are able to comprehend illnesses and disorders.

We see throughout Elyn Saks journey the challenges she faces. “The Center Cannot Hold” gives a prime example of how a mental illness can affect someone and make a person face hurdles throughout their lifetime. “The Center Cannot Hold” describes how mental illness was seen through the early 60’s and 70’s; showcasing the different precautions taken to approach on the subject of mental illness. Elyn Saks gives a vivid detail into the accounts of how mental illness is look upon but also how it affects an individual

James, who had “no befits or insurance or any idea where he might find a doctor” (51). Gary Busch, who was tragically shot after appearing “to be experiencing a psychiatric crisis” (52). This helps to put a name and a person to the “over one million people suffer(ing) from mental illness” (53) in New York City. This number was staggering to me, as well as the fact that “close to 8,000 mentally ill people” are in NY prisons or jails. It was sad to read as well “that, nationwide, state spending on treatment for the seriously mentally ill is one-third less than it was in the 1950s” (55).

Today there has been an increase in the awareness of mental health. In the sense that society has begun to take notice of how mental health effects each individual differently. The media has begun to incorporate a variety of illnesses to entertain to their audience. However, many have questioned if the media is accurately portraying these mental disorders. I chose to compare two popular movies Frankie & Alice and the 2007 version film Sybil.

Like all form of disparities, mental health disparities is a serious challenge for minorities’ communities across America. Individuals with mental health illness how do not receive adequate health care due to variations can be affected in many ways. When their mental illness progress without any diagnosis they can easily be perceived as a threat to society. In cases where crimes are committed, and they cannot prove they are mentally challenged they can be charge and send to prison without being diagnosed which could affect their condition due to the lack of treatment. Without eradicating or implementing policies to deal with mental health disparities the probability of legally or morally assuming that people with mental health challenges are

Stigmatization of mental illness existed well before psychiatry became a formal discipline, but was not formally labeled and defined as a societal problem until the publication of Goffman’s book (1963). Mental illnesses are among the most stigmatizing conditions, regardless of the specific psychiatric diagnosis. Unlike other illnesses, mental illness is still considered by some to be a sign of weakness, as well as a source of shame and disgrace. Many psychiatric patients are concerned about how people will view them if knowledge of their condition becomes public Mental health stigma can be divided into two distinct types: • social stigma is characterized by prejudicial attitudes and discriminating behavior directed towards individuals with mental health problems as a result of the psychiatric label they have been given and has those types stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination Stereotypes are based on knowledge available to members of a group and provide a way to categorize information about other groups in society Prejudiced persons agree with these negative stereotypes, and these attitudes lead to discrimination through negative behaviors toward mentally ill individuals those negative perceptions create fear of and social distance from mentally ill persons. • perceived stigma or

I watched a television commercial from http://www.iwilllisten.org, advertiser National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) they broadcast during CBS series called Face the Nation. The commercial with Mike Thompson talking about his brother killing himself. This commercial talked about his brother talking about off the wall things that made no sense. Then he got a call that his brother killed himself. Then advertiser National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) displays a text scene saying “1 in 4 Americans are impacted by mental illness.”

Demi Lovato’s capacitating speech delivered at the National Alliance of Mental Illness Convention brought awareness to mental health illnesses and how recovery treatments are obtainable with the support of the entire community. The hardships and sufferings brought upon by mental illnesses, the positive possibilities created by the passage of the Mental Health Comprehensive Bill, and the effects of communities coming together to help those suffering with a mental health illness, were mentioned in this speech through the usage of rhetorical devices; tone, anecdote, repetition, and aphorism are the distinct devices included in this speech. All a mental health illness victim needs is hope and support while recovering from this painful experience.

Sarah Wilkes: Prompt 1 There are many negative stigmas in regards to seeking treatment for mental illness. Is it possible that people around the world choose to not seek treatment due to these stigmas? Or does one’s cultural beliefs keep them from seeking treatment as well? Negative attitudes and beliefs toward people who have a mental health condition is common in America and countries around the globe.

This small detail shows how uneducated students are on mental illness, even though majority of them had taken a health class the year before. Students were asked if they thought mental illness was talked about enough. Ninety percent of the forty-two respondents answered no. Ninety percent. Ninety percent said

They also believe that children and teenagers may not handle learning about mental health the correct way. Those who argue against teaching about mental health in schools argue that “[educators] are causing widespread confusion among the majority when we engage [children] in discourse about mental health” and that they “might be encouraged to pathologize their emotions” after watching a video. (Gill n.p.). The author of the article is claiming that only a minority of people are affected by mental illness. She is also arguing that children might think of their emotions as “wrong” even though they are not, suggesting that they cannot handle learning about mental illnesses.