Media Should Change the Way it Portrays Mental Illness |
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The key source for information about mental illness for the general public is typically the media. Research shows that media coverage can influence public perceptions. When it comes to serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, the media tends to focus only on the negative aspects. There tends to be a focus on acts of violence, unpredictability, and danger to others. This has a huge effect on how the public views individuals with mental illness.
Not the True Picture
Because the media focuses on so many acts of violence, there is a dangerous misperception that individuals with mental illness are always violent. In reality, instances of violence among people with mental illness are rare. In fact, individuals with mental illness are more likely to be the victims of violence than the perpetrators. In addition, when there is violence, there are usually other contributing factors such as substance abuse.
This false picture of mental illness has led to the stigmatization that is dangerous to society. When mental illness is portrayed as negative and dangerous, then people who have a mental illness will hide. These individuals may not seek the help they need because they are afraid of how they will be perceived by others. In addition, those who do come forward about their mental illness may face difficulties such as social isolation and the denial of job opportunities.
Challenging Stereotypes
Given its influence on public perception, the media could go the other way and attempt to challenge stereotypes about mental illness. Safe and responsible coverage of news items involving people with mental illness can help reduce the stigmatization. When reporting on acts of violence, the media should point out that mental illness is rarely the cause of violence and that the vast majority of violent crimes are committed by individuals without mental illness. Relevant contextual factors could also be included in reporting. Pointing out that factors other than an individual's mental illness may have contributed to an act of violence may help with perceptions. The use of appropriate and respectful language when discussing mental illness can also be helpful.
If you or a loved one has a mental disability and has been arrested or convicted of a crime, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. Elizabeth Kelley specializes in representing individuals with mental disabilities. To schedule a consultation, call (509) 991-7058.
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For More Information on Mental Disabilities and the Criminal Justice System
Representing People with Mental Disabilities: A Practical Guide for Criminal Defense Lawyers was edited by Elizabeth Kelley.
It contains chapters devoted to a variety of issues confronted by people with mental disabilities in the criminal justice system, such as Competency, Sanity, Malingering, Neuroscience, Jail and Prison Conditions, Working with Experts, and Risk Assessment. Chapters are written by academics, mental health experts, and criminal defense lawyers. In the introduction, Elizabeth writes that "This is the resource I wish I had had many years ago."
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Elizabeth Kelley
Criminal Defense Attorney
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Elizabeth Kelley is a criminal defense lawyer with a nationwide practice specializing in representing people with mental disabilities. She is the co-chair of The Arc's National Center for Criminal Justice and Disability, serves on the American Bar Association’s Commission on Disability Rights, Criminal Justice Section Council, and Editorial Board of the Criminal Justice Magazine. Learn more.
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Autism in girls: Jumping hurdles on the path to diagnosis |
An autism diagnosis can affect people in many different ways. For some, it can be negative and put up additional barriers to education and employment. For others, however, it can be positive and open the doors to the support that they and their family need. It can also bolster someone’s sense of self and belonging within the autistic community.
Whether positive or negative — or, more likely, a mix of both — there is no denying that having a diagnosis makes the difference between accessing healthcare and support, or receiving nothing at all. But the journey to diagnosis is often lengthy, confusing and frustrating, which is problematic because early intervention is known to positively influence outcomes for autistic individuals and their families.
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‘What’s the Point?’ Young People’s Despair Deepens as Covid-19 Crisis Drags On |
Life seemed promising last year to Philaé Lachaux, a 22-year-old business student in France who dreamed of striking out on her own in the live music industry. But the onset of the pandemic, leading to the loss of her part-time job as a waitress, sent her back to live at her family home.
Now, struggling to envision a future after months of restrictions, Ms. Lachaux says that loneliness and despair seep in at night. “I look at the ceiling, I feel a lump in my throat,” she said. “I’ve never had so many suicidal thoughts.”
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Laugh, cry, click, share: Princeton virtual theater experience aims to disrupt stigma around mental illness |
“The Manic Monologues” is a virtual theater experience designed to capture storytelling and shareability. Monologues of true stories, performed by professional actors, and pre-recorded conversations with Princeton students, experts and activists aim to disrupt the stigma around mental illness. Visit the interactive website. (“The Manic Monologues” website is an intensive media experience containing audio and animated graphics. It is best viewed on a desktop or laptop device, rather than a mobile or tablet device.)
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Adults with intellectual disabilities are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, study finds |
Amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), high-risk populations face the threat of developing severe symptoms. These include older adults and those with comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension.
Now, researchers at the University of Glasgow and the Manchester Metropolitan University in the U.K. report that adults with intellectual disabilities have a higher risk of being infected with SARS-CoV2. The team found that they are also more likely to develop worse outcomes once infected.
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NYC to test no-police mental crisis response in Harlem |
New York City police will stay out of many mental health crisis calls and social workers will respond instead in parts of northern Manhattan starting this spring, an official told lawmakers Monday.
The test program will begin in three Harlem and East Harlem police precincts that together accounted for a highest-in-the-city total of over 7,400 mental health-related 911 calls last year, said Susan Herman, who heads a wide-ranging city mental health initiative called ThriveNYC.
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Advocates call for nationwide ‘Green Alert’ for missing veterans suffering from PTSD, mental illness |
Not a day has gone by that Patricia Conger hasn’t thought about the person she came into the world knowing more than anyone else.
Her twin brother Jesse was last seen on August 14, 2019. The former Marine combat veteran disappeared somewhere on the San Carlos reservation.
Patricia said Jesse suffered from PTSD and thoughts of suicide.
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Representing People with Mental Disabilities: A Practical Guide for Criminal Defense Lawyers
Representing People with Mental Disabilities: A Criminal Defense Lawyer's Best Practices Manual, was edited by Elizabeth Kelley. It contains chapters devoted to a variety of issues confronted by people with mental disabilities in the criminal-justice system, such as:
- Competency
- Sanity
- Malingering
- Neuroscience
- Jail and Prison Conditions
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Representing People with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Practical Guide for Criminal Defense Lawyers
Elizabeth's book titled Representing People with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Practical Guide for Criminal Defense Lawyers was released by the American Bar Association. Topics include:
- Co-Occurring Disorders
- Testing
- Competency
- Risk of Violence
- Mitigation.
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