The Media’s Stigma and Glamorization Surrounding Mental Illness

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Mental illness describes a condition which causes serious disorder in a person’s behaviour or thinking. Stigma describes a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality or person. The media’s misrepresentation of mental illness has led to a rise in the glamorization and prejudice surrounding mental wellbeing, because popular retail stores have glamorized mental illness, people do not know how to react when they find out that someone close to them has been diagnosed or hospitalized due to a mental illness, and both entertainment and news media provide overwhelmingly dramatic and distorted images of mental illness that emphasize dangerousness, criminality and unpredictability. To begin, Urban Outfitters has turned mental illness into a fashion statement, glamorizing mental health issues such as anorexia, depression, and prescription medication. In 2010, the popular clothing store began selling a simple grey T-shirt with the words “eat less” written on it. Anorexia is the 12th highest cause of death among teenagers; about 25 million people in Canada suffer or have suffered from an eating disorder (Munro, E., 2013). Merryl Bear, director of the National Eating Disorder Information Centre said it's discouraging to see something marketed at young women that sends a message that "restricting eating is good and is a sign of moral character." (Goodyear, S., 2010). Additionally, Urban Outfitters began selling a cropped top with the word “depression” written on it. Urban Outfitters stopped selling the depression T-shirt after a social media backlash that had critics charging that the company was using mental illness to make a fashion statement (Commisso, C., 2014). Finally, Urban Outfitters made light of prescription... ... middle of paper ... ...al illness. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.withanopenmind.com/media.htm Opening minds. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/initiatives-and-projects/opening-minds?routetoken=76f7e5800989a54672e210fecbb33e58&terminitial=39 Stigma and discrimination. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://ontario.cmha.ca/mental-health/mental-health-conditions/stigma-and-discrimination/ Study suggests many news articles link mental health with crime. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.calgaryjournal.ca/index.php/healthyliving/mind-body-a-spirit/1570-are-media-portrayals-of-mental-health-unfair The media and stigma. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.shepellfgi.com/managingstigma/article.aspx?aid=53&lang=3 What is the issue?. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/issues/stigma?routetoken=b64d9163b12669063569b898b2724d04&terminitial=31

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