Link – Dear Media: People With Mental Illness Are Not Monsters — Stop Making Them Look Like They Are

“I get it. I get why you constantly scare people. Fear gets higher ratings than brilliance.

But I am wondering, have you thought about the ramifications of portraying people with mental illness as evil, scary monsters who commit heinous crimes? Of telling only one story about mental illness? Of perpetuating the harmful stigma and then completely dropping the topic?

They are devastating.

One of the things that happens is that people who are suffering don’t get help. Why would anyone want to admit that they are struggling with their mental health when they might be stereotyped as a terrible, crazy person? When they never see any hopeful cases of people receiving treatment and leading wonderful, productive, happy lives? When they bring up the subject and their friend rushes off to get a drink refill…

We make people feel isolated, alone, and like freaks.

We beg people who are suffering and suicidal to get help while at the same time shaming and stigmatizing them. We give mixed messages. Our shame is dated, unethical and cruel.

We are losing almost 3,000 people to suicide every day. This isn’t just a startling statistic, it is someone’s precious son, daughter, mother, father, sister, brother, etc. It is someone’s beloved family member or dear friend that they have tragically lost.”

Dear Media: People With Mental Illness Are Not Monsters — Stop Making Them Look Like They Are