Designing a workshop on a mental health toolkit for media professionals -

Abstract

The media plays an important role in shaping and reinforcing social attitudes towards mental illness. Well-documented interviews, reporting, and on-screen scripting can enhance awareness, challenge attitudes and help abolish myths and misconceptions. Studies have shown that the way in which mental illness and suicide are embodied by the media significantly influences attitudes towards these constructs. Additionally, negative depiction of mental illness by the media yields negative beliefs towards mental illness. Media professionals who handle the portrayal of this topicinfluence the beliefs of the viewers greatly. As stated in the situational analysis done in Lebanon by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), mental health in Lebanon still holds the stigma barrier –a situation that inevitablyevokes discrimination, negative impact service development, as well as underfunding. While doing my residency with the MoPH Mental Health Division, I was part of a teamdeveloping a mental health toolkit and designing a workshop to bring awareness to media professionals. This Media Toolkit aims to raise awareness among journalists and media professionals on how to enhance reporting on mental health issues, as well as how to provide a more realistic portrayal of a person suffering from mental illness. Stereotypes, though detrimental are nonetheless rampant in our society. Through these educational endeavors, we hope that we can send messages and awareness for those in need.