Topic Tuesday 13/10: The media and mental health

[CherryBomb]

So true @chookmojo - as the old saying goes, 'if it bleeds, it leads'. 

Though as @Former-Member not all media outlets are like this, and things are getting better. 

@Former-Member are there guidelines/regulations with how journalist should report MI?

[Former-Member]

I actually met the two directors of the series recently @chookmojo and I think I was surprised at the level of work that went into making sure the balance was right and that everyone gave consent. 

[Former-Member]

@CherryBomb if you're interested in guidelines the Mindframe website is a good one to check out. StigmaWatch and SANE are part of this initiative, acting as a call centre for journos with questions- http://www.mindframe-media.info/for-media/reporting-mental-illness 

Generally though the advice is for journalists to be mindful of the language and sources they use so that they're not perpetuating stigma or stereotypes.

[CherryBomb]

Great! So what type of language should be used when reporting on MI @Former-Member? And what can be done if media outlets don't adhere to guidelines?

@chookmojo @kato @Sienna @Jo what are your thoughts on what a 'good' portrayal of mental illness should look? And what should be avoided?

[chookmojo]

I'm wondering if those guidelines apply to advertising as well... I recall that there used to be a LOT of 'Ken Bruce has gone Mad!' type adevrtising campaigns - but I don't think I have much of anything like that lately (been a while since I have watched commercial TV though). Have others noticed a shift in adevrtising?

[kato]

HI Cherry!!!!!! i know i haven't been good, and i kinda went off and tried being stable lol, i sorta am but still working on things.

I have just noticed in the last 8 months or so, that it seems to be popping up more and more in the news, that anything where someone has done something big wrong, it is straight away reported they suffered from mental illness.....

[Former-Member]

[Sienna]

If you don't mind me asking, do you feel that your experiences make you more sensitive as a journalist?

[CannonSalt]

@CherryBomb , it's probably the same reason as to why stories about rural Australia are always knitting alpacas or disasters - there isn't the time or expertise to do the stuff that gets eyeballs and the less sensational but still important rural news. 

@Former-Member - thanks for joining us.  Do you have any tips as a journalist for interpreting articles about MI?  How to read them, if you like. 

[kato]

cherry in all honesty i have no idea, how it should be portrayed and what should be avoided, i am not informed enough to make such comments