Mental Illness In Movie Theatre

America is branding people like cattle. No, this is not a physical mark seared onto skin by the government, but it is still an invisible mark on our own people that sets them apart and makes the government recognize people based on differences instead of recognizing the similarities that can bring us together. Mental illness has been branded as one of these differences. Yet, mental illness is simply “a condition that impacts a person's thinking, feeling or mood and may affect his or her ability to relate to others and function on a daily basis” including depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, schizophrenia, and autism as some of these conditions (Conditions 1). Therefore, the American government must break the stigma of mental illness and

Most people gather what they know about mental illnesses from television and film. Unfortunately these media portrayals are inaccurate and create stigma. They depict people suffering from mental illnesses as different, dangerous and laughable. Characters are often addicted to drugs or alcohol, are violent, dangerous, or out of control. Horror film characters like Norman Bates in Psycho, Jack Torrance in the Shining, or Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs associate the typical 'psycho- killer' with people who suffer from a mental illness. But dramas and horror films are not the only film genres that create stigma. Comedies like What About Bob and many others not only stigmatize, they also make fun of mental illnesses and the people

Although mental illness cannot be seen in the same way as external injury, our society needs to become more aware of both the reality of mental illness and the effect of our actions on the mentally ill. There is not enough awareness and research of mental illness and this leads to people being afraid to seek treatment. The mentally ill deserve humane treatment because they are equal to all other humans. Mental illness is a result of chemical imbalances in the brain and traumatic events, and the mentally ill deserve the same treatment and respect as other people with illness and injury. Throughout American history, the mentally ill have not received equal treatment and we should work to help the mentally ill to gain respect and understanding.

Stereotypes seem to be everywhere especially when it comes to race and gender, but for everyone suffering from a mental illness, they are never one in the same. Some of these stereotypes include falsehoods that people who suffer from mental disorders look different than others. People diagnosed with Schizophrenia are said to look unkempt, as portrayed in video games, TV shows and movies, have the frumpy hair, rumpled clothes, crazy eyes and lack of care for themselves. According to US News, most people who have mental disorders have routines just as anyone else. They get up, shower, eat, and go to work yet have to do so with either their diagnosis, or treatment from a psychiatrist. (Fawcett, 2015)

In the media when you hear the word “mental illness” most of the time its associated with words like “dangerous,” “monster,” or better yet “psychopath”. Shawn M Phillips in “mental illness in popular culture” (p.64) states that at the end of the day, “mental illness and disabilities are all just clustered into one vague group of “deviants” by popular culture.” This is not to say it isn 't ever associated with positive words like “beautiful,” “normal,” and “kind. The media should be flooded with more positive representations than there are negative, but this is not the case. In movies, Tv shows, and news media, they portray mental illness as a person, not a person with a mental illness. Whatever else embodies a person no longer matters,

Mental illness is common in the U.S and if treated correctly people can recover and manage their lives. Stereotyping affects the treatment and also the recovery process for those with the illness It's very unfortunate that Americans living with mental disorders end up in prison or homeless due to the simple fact of a comprehensive treatment plan with their institution.

What does mental illness look like? Is it the “weird” kid at your school that everyone bullies? Or maybe the latest hair-raising movie about a psycho killer? Mental illness is constantly construed and made to seem dangerous, unnatural, and sickening. Mental illness, as defined by Mayo Clinic, is simply a “disorder that affects your mood, thinking, and behavior”(). These people, who live with mental health issues, including one out of ten teens and one out of five adults, are often treated as if it is their own fault that they are different(). From uncharged jailing to not being able to choose what is best for them to plain everyday interaction, persons with mental illness are ostracized and treated unfairly. As a country, we are failing our

Three main solutions are related to the end of stereotypes on the mentally ill. Educational approaches challenge inaccurate stereotypes about mental illnesses by replacing them with factual information (Corrigan, 2001). This includes public announcements in all forms of media, including magazines, commercials, and websites. Accurate information and statistics would be available, so adolescents would understand what mental illness truly is. Second would be social activism. Protesting film and television that inaccurately depict mental illness. Directors, producers and other media figures would realize a decrease in profit margins[RAC8] for media based on discriminatory behavior of mentally ill patients. A third strategy would be interactions between individuals with mental illness and the general population of adolescents. This is likely to end the increasing prejudice since one on one engagement could disconfirm prevailing stereotypes (Corrigan,

In society, today, the mentally ill are stereotyped as a group of people who are incapable of performing actions in the same way that someone without a mental illness can. This leads to barriers for the mentally ill such as limited access to a proper education and not being able to apply for certain jobs. There is not a single solution that can completely eradicate stereotypes towards the mentally ill; however, the sooner the system is restructured to a point that treatment is seen as the real cure, the quicker society’s perspective of the

When people are mentally ill, they suffer social stigma, have higher health costs, and are at an increased risk of becoming poor. Every one out of five Americans is diagnosed with a mental illness. That 20 percent of the population can negatively influence the normal stresses of life, working productively and fruitfully, and being able to make a contribution the community. When humankind as a whole cannot recognize that mental illness is a serious issue, there is more harm being done than good. Any kind of mental illness can be caused merely by society, but also can worsen due to humanity not understanding how injustice can make a serious impact. The mental health problems that people face can be limited to society learning about the injustice of these illnesses.

With so many inaccurate an unfair public perceptions to individuals with a mental illness may be responsible for the violent crimes being committed in neighborhoods and all around the world. When a violent crime has been committed the media will always link it to a person being mentally ill. Which can be damaging to the people who really suffer from a mental illness. They may be to embarrass to seek medical care, causing a fear of them being judged. Others may not really care on the person’s wellbeing and think that all people who commit violent crimes should be considered with having some type of mental illness

The barriers that face individuals with mental illness are many, physical illnesses and conditions are recognizable therefore are easily treatable. This is not the case with mental illness, of the 44 million adults in the US with a known mental illness only 40% are able to access care. I strongly believe that one of the biggest factors is the disease itself, individuals suffer for years undiagnosed and it is the lack of the known need that stops them from seeking treatment. The symptoms are not always apparent and they are taken as some other condition or

When most people hear about mental illness, they automatically think that it is something dangerous. This is because of all the stigma attached to disorders and what is being shown in the media. Most shows and productions portray people with mental illnesses as being crazy and committing acts of violence. Stigma and discrimination make a barrier to diagnosis, treatment, and also to acceptance in the community (Fast Facts about Mental Illness). It can be harder to find a job, because employers believe that hiring someone with a mental illness can lead to workplace violence. Having a mental illness also affects social life at school, as it is easy to be ignored and left out for being different or weird. But when it is thought about, there are

“The media’s the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that’s power. Because they control the minds of the masses.” -Malcolm X. It can be said without a doubt that media plays a massive role in how society views certain things. A negative media portrayal ultimately leads to negativity and stigma towards whichever group. One of the groups that is severely impacted by these dismissive representations is mental illness. The portrayal of mental illness in mass media as violent, amusing, or downright “nuts”, is inaccurate and vilifying, but can be resolved by the inclusion of mental health specialist in program planning.

They are people who are courageous, caring, and strong. They preserve through illnesses that most do not understand. Yet the stereotype that surrounds them hurts them gravely. Their families abandon them, their significant others blame them for their illnesses, their communities ostracize them. They are unfairly generalized as violent for something out of their control. I have heard too many times that they should be ‘locked up’. I firmly refute this belief – they should not be locked up, they should be cared for. First, however, thought must be put into how we can mend the conception of mental illness. Education is the most powerful tool that can be used for this purpose. Requiring education on mental illness and openly discussing the topic will shift public focus from what is ‘scary’ to what is rather an everyday hindrance to