Opening Up About Mental Illness and Its Stigmatism

I chose to create a blog based on mental illness, the need to bring more awareness to the issue both through social media and education, and discuss the stigmatism surrounding mental illness. Although there are many great channels to discuss mental illness, I wanted to use a blog where I can continue to spread the word and include testimonials of those who live with mental illness. My target audience will be intended for those who have mental illness and those who are impacted by others who may have mental illness. My blog will have posts giving facts on mental illness, testimonials, the rise in musicians opening up on their own mental illnesses; including social media posts they have made and a PSA using those same musicians with the goal of helping remove the stigmatisms the public have on the disorder.

The need to bring more awareness to the issue of mental illness would not only help those who suffer from the disorder, but also help the public and the way they view those who are diagnosed. Because of the lack of information most have when it comes to any and all mental illnesses as well as the way the media has portrayed them, a stigmatism has been formed by the public. This stigmatism has kept many from speaking out and/or seeking help to better their lives. The Spiral of Silence Theory, “a theory that links mass media, social psychology, and the formation of public opinion; it proposes that people who find their views on controversial issues in the minority tend to keep these views silent”,is a perfect theory to use when discussing such issues (Campbell, Martin and Fabos 515). Due to the way mental illness has been portrayed with the media in the past, including movies, novels, and early study on the subject, it has put an inaccurate stigmatism out there. On top of the way mental illness has been wrongfully portrayed through media, we now have to consider the unfortunately high percentage of cyber bullying going on with social media. These are just a few ways in which those with mental illness choose to stay silent. Those suffering from mental illness do not want to speak up about their illness, in fear of being looked at in a negative way, or being discriminated against.

Campbell, Richard, Christopher R. Martin and Bettina Fabos. Media Essentials A Brief Introduction. Third. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2016.