Welcome back to Psych Central! In the previous blog post, we discussed how stigma, whether public or individual, can significantly misrepresent mental illness and what it’s like to live with one. Not only does this affect the way we learn about mental health in general, but also the way we seek help. Given the pervasiveness of media and technology use, it’s important to learn how to navigate through the depths of information out there. In fact, research has found that the public’s primary source of knowledge regarding mental illness comes from the media, such as the news, social media apps, and entertainment. With that in mind, we’ll briefly cover the hits and misses, and why it’s important to seek credible sources that cover mental illness.
For starters – where does one find mental health information?
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIHM), a branch of the of the National Institute of Health (NIH), is the leading federal agency for research on mental health disorders. They have a range of health topics, detailing the clinical research by experts in the field that have uncovered the intricacies behind diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is one of the largest grassroots mental health organizations dedicated to providing advocacy and support to all individuals and their respective families that are affected by mental illness. They have created education programs that are led by peers, families, and providers, and advocate in the public policy domain. Some of the policy issues pertinent to mental health include:
- Medicaid Expansions and Exclusions
- Appropriate Mental Health Services in Schools
- Mental Health Screenings
- Insanity Defense
If you’re unsure how to find treatment or support, you can contact the NAMI Helpline: 1-800-950-6264
NAMI also has an easily accessible online knowledge and resource center that has an extensive library with commonly asked questions.
Psychology Today, a magazine owned by the American Psychological Association, covers current affairs in psychology research and topics written. Their directory includes psychologists, psychiatrists, medical doctors, and more. They are dedicated in linking readers to therapists, health professionals, and treatment centers.
The misses – major issues in entertainment and the media
Television
The manner in which fictional characters’ experiences and feelings are shown on television have the ability to impact the way in which people understand and react to similar circumstances. This deems true for mental illness depicted on screen, and it can affect the way people cope with such conditions. In many instances, TV shows or movies can insinuate that people impacted by a mental health condition are ‘dangerous,’ ‘different,’ or ‘crazy.’ Moreover, mental illnesses are seen as a moral flaw or defining characteristic for on-screen characters, rather than relaying that it is a medical condition.
Social Media
Social media is often ingrained into our daily lives. When it comes to learning and talking about mental illness, it is a constant balance of good or bad. For example, there is a subreddit group r/mentalhealth on the platform Reddit with over 245,000 members that share personal accounts and experiences. While these groups may be good for solidarity and advocacy, it would not necessarily be the best avenue to seek help or find resources. It’s important to remember that each person may experience a particular condition or respond to treatment differently. As a general rule of thumb:
“X, Y, or Z may work for you, but may not work for me.”
Digital Therapy Apps
There is a plethora of ‘therapy’ or ‘self-care’ apps that imply being able to improve or manage symptoms of mental illnesses. Research has found that they are NOT effective in doing so, and should only be used to offer additional support in conjunction to evidence-based treatment performed by a clinician. In fact, only 1.4% of mental health apps have actually backed their claims with credible and reliable evidence.
Wrapping Things Up
With this digital age, we can admire the convenience of being able to find and access information online anywhere and at anytime. But it’s equally important to recognize some pitfalls that have come with this. So no matter the self-care app or what social media is telling you, professional mental health treatment is a necessary imperative. Remember – getting better means actively working towards it. We shouldn’t make our decisions regarding care based on what others post.
Awareness is essential. How we report the experiences of individuals dealing with mental health challenges deserves a more scrutinizing eye, and we can all work together to reduce any stigma around these conditions.
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