Speaking out for mental health: collaboration of future journalists and psychiatrists

The authors assess the effects of an educational intervention on the attitudes and understanding of psychiatric residents and journalism students, review how collaboration between these disciplines affects these attitudes, and propose the development of similar programs within residency to enhance systems-based learning.

A collaborative curriculum involving a workshop, didactics, and team projects was conducted over 6 months among journalism students and psychiatric residents. Attitude assessments were obtained before and at the conclusion.

Data support that a brief interdisciplinary curriculum can affect the attitudes of both psychiatric residents and journalism students regarding mental illness and the media. Attitudinal changes and areas of focus for the future are identified.

Psychiatrists should be familiar with the relationship between media and stigma. Focusing on psychiatrists and journalists in training may change attitudes between disciplines to promote future collaboration, and innovative curricula within residency training may increase the comfort level between physicians and the media.