The Stigma of Mental Illness in the Media

This paper will focus on how the media in today’s society reinforces stigmas and biases on an individual with a mental illness. The three articles that will be discussed are “Escaped killer still at large in Washington State”, “Suspect in historic mass murder dies at 88” and “Man obsesses with Columbine convicted of murder”. Firstly, I will analyze these three articles for any stigma about mental illnesses that are reinforcing stigmas on society and any positive or accurate information given. Secondly, I will critically reflect on my thoughts and feelings; what I found offensive; what they say about an individual with a mental illness; how I would feel if I was an individual with a mental illness and also what I feel the author of the article could have to remove any portrayal of stigma within the article. Thirdly, I will write a letter to Jonathan Klein the president of CNN US to educate him on any misinformation that had been given, and any relevant facts from the articles about mental illnesses.
Today whenever you read an article about a person with a mental illness, you are more likely to be reading a very negative and highly stigmatized depiction about mental illness. Media sources are one of major sources where individuals in today society receive information. People put a lot of trust in the individuals and media outlets that produce these reports and trust that the information that is being reported is reliable and based on facts.
The first article that will be dis...

The Stigma of Mental Illness in the Media

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