Mental Illness in Newspapers: Emerging Trends

Newspapers carry an important responsibility in informing the general public of current issues. Being an inseparable part of the news media, they have been identified as a major source of information and misinformation regarding mental illness (Yankelovich). By analysing articles through various time periods and examining the portrayal of mental illness, we see that newspapers have gradually reduced society’s stigmatisation by embracing scientific knowledge and responding to changing societal values.

Newspaper depictions of mental illness strongly influence personal experiences and legislative policies. As a popular form of literary publication, newspapers attract a large number of readers from diverse demographic groups. Numerous studies have shown that with such an impact, these depictions directly affect attitudes of the general public (Slopen). This results in a profound effect on the lives of those with mental illnesses – from their interpersonal interactions and self-conceptions to the mental health system and its associated policies (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).

Society’s current perception of mental illness is highly different from that of the past. From the Middle Ages to the turn of the millennium, definitions of mental illness and its associated imagery have undergone a fundamental transformation. During the medieval period, mental illness was associated with moral corruption and weakness of the mind – many patients were jailed as criminals, and some were even put to death (Corrigan). Hundreds of years later, as recently as 1974, doubts still existed about the reality of mental illness (Slopen). However, with rapid scientific advances, it is clear now that a mental illness refers broadly to the varying degrees of cognitions, emotions, and behaviours that interfere with interpersonal relationships and functions required for work, at home, and in school (American Psychiatric Association).

Newspapers must engage in investigative and objective reporting of mental illness due to its prevalence and devastating effects. Mental illnesses are common to all countries of the world and cause immense human suffering (World Health Organization). Patients are often the most stigmatised, disadvantaged, and vulnerable members of society. Despite being inconspicuous, mental illnesses will affect one in five Canadians at some point in their lives (The Globe and Mail). With the majority of these cases being depression and anxiety, Canada will lose, on average, 35 million workdays and $51-billion worth of productivity per year (The Globe and Mail).

Through our analysis of newspaper articles, we find that the coverage of mental illness has proceeded in a more positive direction. Based mainly on The Globe and Mail articles through four time periods – the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s – there are, increasingly, fewer associations being made between mental illness and crime, and more efforts underway to address and educate the public’s awareness.

In newspaper articles from the 1970s, almost all reports of mental illness depicted images of violence or lunacy. Little attention was paid to its medical and social roots. Rather, an overall negative and discriminative message was conveyed. Titles such as the following are representative of the the period’s reporting: “Man accused of killing policeman is schizophrenic, doctor tells court” (Keating), “Used sword, knife to kill his mother, man is found insane” (The Globe and Mail), “Policeman going nuts as unwelcome guest takes over his station” (Cleroux), “MD says treating delinquents could be waste of time, money” (The Globe and Mail).

Clearly, little effort was taken in the 1970s to explore and address the patients’ medical conditions and well-being. These highly misinforming, unsympathetic articles created false stereotypes and constructed an association between psychiatric patients and violence. Current scientific knowledge shows, however, that most people with mental illness are not violent. They are usually victims, as opposed to perpetrators, of crimes (Myers).

Beginning in the 1980s, a changing perspective emerged: newspapers started to explore the science and policy behind mental illness. Common misconceptions were being debunked. Newly-published research topics were being brought into public awareness. Articles even paved the way for debate on mental health policy and protection for the ill. Titles like these were common: “New research thrust for schizophrenia could save billions” (Leitch), “Many prisoners mentally ill, study shows” (Makin), “Amend Mental Health Act, coroner’s jury recommends” (The Globe and Mail), “Protection for schizophrenics” (Beeby).

The 1980s was a period of enlightenment for newspaper-reporting on mental illness. Not only were there fewer negative, stigmatising depictions, but there also arrived the realization of a need for open discussion. By addressing the health, social, and political concerns of mental illness in society, sufferers of mental illness were beginning to be seen as vulnerable human beings – those who are most in need of society’s support and protection.

Newspapers in the 1990s used a more interpersonal and humane approach to cover issues related to mental illness. This led the popular culture to become more accepting of sufferers, as actresses and politicians, alike, shared their personal encounters with mental illness, for the very first time. Numerous films were made, and novels written. Many of these fictional and non-fictional accounts received positive reviews from newspaper columns and ranked highly on best-seller lists. After nearly two decades since the discriminative depictions, the public was, for the first time, given an opportunity to step into the lives of those with mental illnesses. Indeed, this cleared the path for another style of reporting in the new millennium.

Upon entering the 21^st century, at unprecedented levels, newspapers engaged the public in raising awareness about mental illness. Extensive coverage examined its biological, psychological, and social-cultural roots. By doing so, newspapers demonstrated a positive, educational role in increasing the public’s understanding of mental illness. This also significantly decreased misconceptions and effectively reduced the public’s stigmatising attitudes. For example, in late 2008, The Globe and Mail dedicated a special portion of the newspaper to addressing mental illness in Canada. This special series, “Breakdown: Canada’s Mental Health Crisis,” examined a multitude of cases, from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder to Schizophrenia. In the large number of case studies that were presented, numerous personal experiences were elaborated, in detail, as were the impact of these individuals’ mental illnesses on friends and family. This special series also discussed the latest treatment options, medical breakthroughs, and changing health-care environments – from prison-like asylums to modern medical facilities.

A constant increase in scientific understanding has led to the gradual destigmatisation of mental illness. Clearly, the changing perspective of newspapers on the reporting of mental illness has advanced at a rapid rate, leading to changes in public awareness. Research findings over time have increased our understanding of mental illness. For example, the medical perspective recognizes the need for a mental illness to be diagnosed on the basis of its symptoms and cured through therapy, including treatment in a psychiatric hospital (Myers). Recent discoveries, aided by devices like the Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner, have given us insight into the abnormalities in brain structure and physiological processes. Aided by the medical and technological breakthroughs, we are now able to treat many disorders medically.

Newspapers have also taken an active role in popularizing newly-published research articles, leading to increased public interest. Most newspapers have a special section dedicated to science and health, with many research findings being simplified and interpreted to aid public understanding. This allows the general public to remain updated with current scientific thinking – otherwise they may not have sufficient background knowledge to fully appreciate the information. By easing the understandability and popularizing the results of current research findings, newspapers have effectively increased public interest, paving the way for an increasingly open-minded public attitude towards mental illness.

These factors combined have led to a social-cultural change in the gradual understanding and acceptance of mental illness. Newspapers have not only raised public awareness, but have also allowed society, as a whole, to view the world from a different perspective. This has resulted in changing perceptions and the willingness to engage mental illness in society not as an avoided burden, but as an overdue issue with much attention needed.

Works Cited

“Amend Mental Health Act, Coroner’s Jury Recommends.” The Globe and Mail.Nov 11, 1989. p. A.17.

American Psychiatric Association. 4 June 2009. <http://www.psych.org/>

Beeby, June Conway. “Protection for Schizophrenics.” The Globe and Mail. Jul 31, 1989. p. A.7.

Cleriux, Richard. “Policeman Going Nuts as Unwelcome Guest Takes Over His Station.” The Globe and Mail. Sep 8, 1979. p. P.11.

Corrigan, P. W., Watson, A. C., Gracia, G., Slopen, N., Rasinski, K., Hall, L. L. “Blame, Shame, and Contamination: The Impact of Mental Illness and Substance Abuse on Family Members.” Journal of Family Psychology; 2006 Vol. 20 Issue 12, p239-246, 8p.

Keating, Michael. “Man Accused of Killing Policeman is Schizophrenic, Doctor Tells Court.”

The Globe and Mail. 16 May 1979 p. P.4.

Leitch, Carolyn. “New Research Thrust for Schizophrenia Could Save Billions.” The Globe and Mail. Dec 26, 1989. p. A.15.

Makin, Kirk. “Many Prisoners Mentally Ill, Study Shows.” The Globe and Mail. Nov 23, 1989. p. A.1.

“MD Says Treating Delinquents Could be Waste of Time, Money.” The Globe and Mail. Apr 5, 1978. p. P.11.

Myers, David G. Psychology Eighth Edition. New York: Worth, 2006.

Slopen, Natalie B., Watson, Amy C., Garcia, Gabriela, Corrigan, Patrick W. “Age Analysis of Newspaper Coverage of Mental Illness.” Journal of Health Communication, 12:3–15, 2007.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 4 June 2009. <http://www.hhs.gov/>

“Used Sword, Knife to Kill His Mother, Man is Found Insane.” The Globe and Mail. May 2, 1978. p. P.5.

Yankelovich, Daniel. Public Attitudes Toward People with Chronic Mental Illness: Final Report. Princeton, NJ : Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Program on Chronic Mental Illness, 1990.

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