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Mental illness is often at the root of media
stories related to policing and justice. Is
there a tendency to stigmatize people with
mental health issues, especially those involved
in violent activity, either against their own
selves or against others? To what degree do
the media inform and explain, and to what extent
do they misinform and prejudge?
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The Harris Centre is sponsoring a unique panel discussion tonight on how the media deals with mental illness.
True feelings of depression are overpowering and can often incapacitate the sufferer and make even simple tasks seem overwhelming. Yes, everyone "feels" depressed sometimes. But what most people fail to realize is that for those who are truly afflicted with clinical depression, those moments of sadness and anxiety are always present. Even times of joy (especially times of joy) are overshadowed and tainted by a veil of sorrow.
I may not be a Conservative but my respect for Prime Minister Harper went up last spring when he spoke publicly about the impact on mental health on his own family. He said "it can strike the sturdiest of souls. It cares not how much you have achieved or how much you have to live for.”
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The Harris Centre is sponsoring a unique panel discussion tonight on how the media deals with mental illness.
This should be a very interesting presentation. Despite the many advances in education and treatment, mental health continues to have a very negative stigma.
For many it is still seen as a sign of weakness. Unlike a physical ailment that people can see, it is not as tangible. How often have you heard a local media report with the tag "that a person involved in a violent incident "had a history of mental illness," which implies that somehow they were to blame?"
When was the last time that you heard a media report that the person involved had a history of high blood pressure or that they were left-handed? In fact, studies show that people with with mental illness are no more likely to be violent than anybody else.
For many it is still seen as a sign of weakness. Unlike a physical ailment that people can see, it is not as tangible. How often have you heard a local media report with the tag "that a person involved in a violent incident "had a history of mental illness," which implies that somehow they were to blame?"
When was the last time that you heard a media report that the person involved had a history of high blood pressure or that they were left-handed? In fact, studies show that people with with mental illness are no more likely to be violent than anybody else.
Many, like the Toronto-Peel Mental Health Implementation Task Force, have stressed that as long as people with mental illness continue to suffer discrimination, many will fear that seeking help could destroy their workplace or community status.
Frankly, I can relate to this. I have never spoken of this to anyone, but my wife. A few years ago, when I left a very unhealthy work environment because I had burned out, I turned to a mental health specialist for help. My coping skills were worn thin, my thought process was a mess and my world was up-side down. I was no longer able to enjoy the things that gave me joy like my kids and my wife. Getting out of bed in the morning was a challenge. Frankly, I was a mess.
True feelings of depression are overpowering and can often incapacitate the sufferer and make even simple tasks seem overwhelming. Yes, everyone "feels" depressed sometimes. But what most people fail to realize is that for those who are truly afflicted with clinical depression, those moments of sadness and anxiety are always present. Even times of joy (especially times of joy) are overshadowed and tainted by a veil of sorrow.
I remember discussing medication with my doctor. In the end he said, Peter, if you had diabetes, would you take insulin? This is the same thing. A system in your body is out of wack, it can be fixed. I was afraid of the stigma, of admitting I could not handle these "mental issues" on my own. Mental illness continues to be the last socially acceptable forms of prejudice.
Even as I type this, I fear that being honest about my own experience could result in some form of stereotype.
These are real illnesses. There's no stigma associated with diabetes, asthma, or allergies for example, so why should there be with this? Just like those illnesses, depression, anxiety and stress have specific causes that can be addressed. You wouldn't think an asthma sufferer could just "snap out of it", yet many people say this to depression and anxiety sufferers. Lack of understanding again causes such a reaction and it is the reaction that is wrong, not the sufferer.
The misconceptions surrounding depression are endless, it seems, but the most prevalent one seems to be the belief that people who are depressed really don't have a medical illness that requires treatment, but simply a "flaw in their character" that, with enough will and determination, they can correct. This is absolutely ludicrous of course. This type of thinking is akin to telling a diabetic that because their bodies cannot properly deal with the abnormal amounts of sugar in their blood, they are weak, lazy, irresponsible whiners, who, if they truly wanted to, could take control of their disorder by "willing it away".
I may not be a Conservative but my respect for Prime Minister Harper went up last spring when he spoke publicly about the impact on mental health on his own family. He said "it can strike the sturdiest of souls. It cares not how much you have achieved or how much you have to live for.”
It makes me cringe, but it is a reality. The social stigma of depression continues to prevent those battling silently with this affliction from seeking medical treatment. The stigma that continues to surround depression in this, the 21st century, is an attitude that boggles my mind and gets me a little heated under the collar.
As long as the news media continue to stigmatize people with mental illness, they reinforce this discrimination.
As long as the news media continue to stigmatize people with mental illness, they reinforce this discrimination.
The event is free and open to the public. A reception will follow, with coffee and a few treats.
If you can not make the event, you can watch and participate via the wonder of the internet at www.mun.ca/harriscentre.
If you can not make the event, you can watch and participate via the wonder of the internet at www.mun.ca/harriscentre.
The discussion begins at 7:30 and is taking place at the Innovation Hall, Angus Bruneau Centre, IIC-2001
2 comments:
Hey Peter thanks for posting this, as it is apparent that some of the individuals attending the event knew of it through your post.
No problem. I was expecting a little more discussion here about it. It was a good session and made people think about stereotypes.
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