Stigma and the media, according to people with a mental illness

Twenty-one Belgian participants with mental illnesses participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews, in order to gain a better understanding about the role of the media in the development of stigma and self-stigma. Additionally, the study investigated how participants make sense of media coverage about mental illnesses. The media’s depiction of mental illnesses and mental health care was thought to be focused on the negative and the spectacular. However, mental illnesses are also depicted in an overly optimistic way. The media were often seen as stigmatizing, but participants acknowledged that the media could also help with destigmatization efforts, by including more positive stories, providing a platform to role models, and establishing contact. The participants clearly used their own experiences and knowledge to make sense of the text. Stigmatizing language triggered negative emotions and memories Three strategies were used to deal with stigmatizing language: refutation, devaluation, and explaining away such statements.status: publishe