Open papers, open minds? Media representations of psychiatric de-institutionalization in Jamaica

Little research has been conducted on media representations of psychiatric de-institutionalization in low-income countries. We set out to examine whether the Jamaican media takes a positive or negative orientation to psychiatric de-institutionalization, and which arguments and rhetorical devices are employed to support the media's position. This was done by the collection, review, and analysis of all stories related to psychiatric de-institutionalization published over a 26-month period from 2003 to 2005 by Jamaica's principal broadsheet newspaper. All of the stories were positive in orientation. Articles alluded to the therapeutic and economic benefits of de-institutionalization. To allay public fears, articles gave prominence to the views of senior psychiatric experts, quoted supporting statistics and international trends, and translated relevant research findings into lay language. Our results are contrary to most studies in high-income countries indicating negative media portrayals of mental illness and the mentally ill.