Media and mental illness: relevance to India
S K Padhy, S Khatana, S Sarkar1
1Department of Psychiatry, Nehru Hospital, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Abstract:
Media has a complex interrelationship with mental illnesses. This narrative review takes a look at the various ways in which media and mental illnesses interact. Relevant scientific literature and electronic databases were searched, including Pubmed and GoogleScholar, to identify studies, viewpoints and recommendations using keywords related to media and mental illnesses. This review discusses both the positive and the negative portrayals of mental illnesses through the media. The portrayal of mental health professionals and psychiatric treatment is also discussed. The theories explaining the relationship of how media influences the attitudes and behavior are discussed. Media has also been suggested to be a risk factor for the genesis or exacerbation of mental illnesses like eating disorders and substance use disorders. The potential use of media to understand the psychopathology and plight of those with psychiatric disorders is referred to. The manner in which media can be used as a tool for change to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illnesses is explored.
Related Concept Videos
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Community Based Intervention
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
Self-Help Support Groups
Accessibility and Cost-Effectiveness
One of the primary strengths of self-help...
Social Foundations of Self IV: Self in Digital Communication


