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Mental Illness

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Mental Illness
Over 50 million Americans face daily struggles with a mental illness. In today’s society, individuals feel less comfortable going to see a psychologist than they do seeing an eye doctor or a dentist. Also, individuals feel worse about needing assistance fighting depression or anxiety than they do about requiring help with cancer. The term “mental illness” has a very negative connotation. Individuals often relate things like self-harm and violence to it without considering examples to support these negative interpretations. Viewing individuals as dangerous, violent, and unpredictable is an aspect of stigma within mental health and mental illness. The media needs to be aware of how they depict those with a mental illness.
The media plays a big …show more content…
It is also very easy to access with the advanced technology of smart phones and watches, iPads, and tablets. The internet is often used as a go to for people, providing them with information on just about anything one can be looking for. Additionally, there are anonymous chat rooms on the Internet which enable those with lived and current experience of mental illness to talk with one another. That chat rooms are often used by these individuals as a way to connect with others without being judged. Also, there are many websites on the internet containing false information regarding mental health causing confusion to those trying to obtain accurate information about …show more content…
Expanding the understanding of mental illness with help reduce some of the negative stigmas that are being connected with mental illnesses. Considering the media can have such a negative impact on the view of mental illness, it is sensible to believe it can likewise have the ability to exert a positive influence to decrease stigma. It is time to stand up against the media and negative stereotypes that are being created. Media should be utilized to build up a more balanced understanding of mental illness as well as educating through more reasonable depictions of mental illness. Destigmatization of mental health will provide confidence to those struggling with mental illnesses, and increase their desire to seek the health care treatment they need. Not only will this help those struggling with a mental illness but it will also have an influence on their families and our society as a
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