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Bitta MA, Baariu J, Grassi S, Kariuki SM, Lennox B, Newton CRJC. Effectiveness of participatory video in lowering stigma against people with mental, neurological and substance use disorders in Kenya. BJPsych Open 2023; 9:e215. [PMID: 37955040 PMCID: PMC10753966 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2023.587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, stigma associated with mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) disorders is rampant and a barrier to good health and overall well-being of people with these conditions. Person-centred digital approaches such as participatory video may reduce stigma, but evidence on their effectiveness in Africa is absent. AIMS To evaluate the effectiveness of participatory video in reducing mental health-related stigma in a resource-limited setting. METHOD We evaluated the effectiveness of using participatory video and face-to-face interaction between people with MNS disorders and a target audience in lowering stigma among 420 people living in Kilifi, Kenya. Changes in knowledge, attitudes and behaviour (KAB) were measured by comparing baseline scores with scores immediately after watching the participatory videos and 4 months after the intervention. Sociodemographic correlates of stigma scores were examined using multivariable linear regression models. RESULTS Compared with baseline, KAB scores significantly improved at both time points, suggesting reduced stigma levels. At 4 months, the changes in scores were: knowledge (β = 0.20, 95% CI 0.16-0.25; P < 0.01), liberal attitude (β = 1.08, 95% CI 0.98-1.17; P < 0.01), sympathetic attitude (β = 0.52, 95% CI 0.42-0.62; P < 0.01), tolerant attitude (β = 0.72, 95% CI 0.61-0.83; P < 0.01) and behaviour (β = 0.37, 95% CI 0.31-0.43; P < 0.01). Sociodemographic variables were significantly correlated with KAB scores; the correlations were not consistent across the domains. CONCLUSIONS Participatory video is a feasible and effective strategy in improving knowledge, attitudes and intended behaviour in a resource-limited setting. Further studies are required to understand the mechanisms through which it lowers stigma and to examine long-term sustainability and the effectiveness of multicomponent interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary A. Bitta
- Clinical Research-Neurosciences, KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Program, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kilifi, Kenya; and Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Judy Baariu
- Clinical Research-Neurosciences, KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Program, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Simone Grassi
- Documentary Institute of Eastern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Symon M. Kariuki
- Clinical Research-Neurosciences, KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Program, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kilifi, Kenya; Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; and Department of Public Health, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Belinda Lennox
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Wagner A, Reifegerste D. "The Part Played by People" in Times of COVID-19: Interpersonal Communication about Media Coverage in a Pandemic Crisis. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2023; 38:1014-1021. [PMID: 34645317 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2021.1989786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The study presented in this article examined individuals' interpersonal communication about media coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic. In times of a severe public health crisis, people rely heavily on media coverage to stay informed. Communicating with others about this coverage can help them gain deeper insights and evaluate pandemic-related information. According to the two-step flow of communication, opinion leaders, such as health experts, play an important role in interpersonal communication by disseminating information, influencing others, and providing orientation. To examine the nature of interpersonal communication about pandemic-related media coverage, we conducted 22 semi-structured interviews. We explored: a) the communicative roles within the informal social network, b) the functions of the communication for the individual, and c) the potential transformations in the trajectory of the pandemic. Findings show that communication with close and more distant social contacts occurred largely on an equal basis, while the rare opinion leaders mainly emerged as information brokers. Communication about media coverage serves the functions of information sharing and retrieving, information validation, and coping with negative emotions. Finally, communication partners, roles, and conversational topics partly changed over time. Our study extends existing research on interpersonal communication about health topics, as well as on the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Wagner
- School of Public Health, Bielefeld University
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Ort A, Rohrbach T, Diviani N, Rubinelli S. Covering the Crisis: Evolution of Key Topics and Actors in COVID-19 News Coverage in Switzerland. Int J Public Health 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2022.1605240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: The goal of this study is to map the share of COVID-related news articles over time, to investigate key subtopics and their evolution throughout the pandemic, and to identify key actors and their relationship with different aspects of the discourse around the pandemic.Methods: This study uses a large-scale automated content analysis to conduct a within-country comparison of news articles (N = 1,171,114) from two language regions of Switzerland during the first 18 months of the pandemic.Results: News media coverage of the pandemic largely mirrors key epidemiological developments in terms of the volume and content of coverage. Key actors in COVID-related reporting tend to be included in news articles that relate to their respective area of expertise.Conclusion: Balanced news coverage of the pandemic facilitates effective dissemination of pandemic-related information by health authorities.
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Thornicroft G, Sunkel C, Alikhon Aliev A, Baker S, Brohan E, El Chammay R, Davies K, Demissie M, Duncan J, Fekadu W, Gronholm PC, Guerrero Z, Gurung D, Habtamu K, Hanlon C, Heim E, Henderson C, Hijazi Z, Hoffman C, Hosny N, Huang FX, Kline S, Kohrt BA, Lempp H, Li J, London E, Ma N, Mak WWS, Makhmud A, Maulik PK, Milenova M, Morales Cano G, Ouali U, Parry S, Rangaswamy T, Rüsch N, Sabri T, Sartorius N, Schulze M, Stuart H, Taylor Salisbury T, Vera San Juan N, Votruba N, Winkler P. The Lancet Commission on ending stigma and discrimination in mental health. Lancet 2022; 400:1438-1480. [PMID: 36223799 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(22)01470-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Graham Thornicroft
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Health Service and Population Research Department, King's College London, London UK; Centre for Implementation Science, King's College London, London UK.
| | | | - Akmal Alikhon Aliev
- National Institute of Mental Health (Czechia), WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Mental Health Research and Service Development, Klecany, Czechia
| | - Sue Baker
- Mind international, London, UK; Changing Minds Globally, London, UK
| | - Elaine Brohan
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Health Service and Population Research Department, King's College London, London UK
| | | | - Kelly Davies
- Centre for Implementation Science, King's College London, London UK
| | - Mekdes Demissie
- College of Health Sciences and Medicine, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Haramaya University, Ethiopia; Centre for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Studies for Africa (CDT-Africa), College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
| | | | - Wubalem Fekadu
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Petra C Gronholm
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Health Service and Population Research Department, King's College London, London UK; Centre for Implementation Science, King's College London, London UK
| | - Zoe Guerrero
- National Institute of Mental Health (Czechia), WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Mental Health Research and Service Development, Klecany, Czechia
| | - Dristy Gurung
- Centre for Implementation Science, King's College London, London UK; Transcultural Psychosocial Organization (TPO), Kathmandu Nepal
| | - Kassahun Habtamu
- Addis Ababa University, School of Psychology, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Charlotte Hanlon
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Health Service and Population Research Department, King's College London, London UK; WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Research and Training, King's College London, London UK; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Eva Heim
- Institut de Psychologie, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Claire Henderson
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Health Service and Population Research Department, King's College London, London UK
| | | | | | - Nadine Hosny
- Institut de Psychologie, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Brandon A Kohrt
- Division of Global Mental Health, George Washington University, Washington DC, USA
| | - Heidi Lempp
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, and Academic Department of Rheumatology, King's College London, London UK
| | - Jie Li
- Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Ning Ma
- Institute of Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Winnie W S Mak
- Department of Psychology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Akerke Makhmud
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Health Service and Population Research Department, King's College London, London UK; Centre for Implementation Science, King's College London, London UK
| | - Pallab K Maulik
- George Institute for Global Health, New Delhi, India; University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Maria Milenova
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Health Service and Population Research Department, King's College London, London UK; Centre for Implementation Science, King's College London, London UK
| | | | - Uta Ouali
- Razi Hospital and El Manar Medical School, University of Tunis, La Manouba, Tunisia
| | - Sarah Parry
- South London and the Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Nicolas Rüsch
- Department of Psychiatry II, Ulm University and BKH Günzburg, Ulm, Germany; Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik, Bezirkskrankenhaus Günzburg, Günzburg, Germany
| | - Taha Sabri
- Taskeen Health Initiative, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Norman Sartorius
- Association for the Improvement of Mental health Programs, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Tatiana Taylor Salisbury
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Health Service and Population Research Department, King's College London, London UK
| | - Norha Vera San Juan
- Health Service and Population Research Department, King's College London, London UK
| | - Nicole Votruba
- and Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Petr Winkler
- National Institute of Mental Health (Czechia), WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Mental Health Research and Service Development, Klecany, Czechia
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Deep Journalism and DeepJournal V1.0: A Data-Driven Deep Learning Approach to Discover Parameters for Transportation. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14095711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
We live in a complex world characterised by complex people, complex times, and complex social, technological, economic, and ecological environments. The broad aim of our work is to investigate the use of ICT technologies for solving pressing problems in smart cities and societies. Specifically, in this paper, we introduce the concept of deep journalism, a data-driven deep learning-based approach, to discover and analyse cross-sectional multi-perspective information to enable better decision making and develop better instruments for academic, corporate, national, and international governance. We build three datasets (a newspaper, a technology magazine, and a Web of Science dataset) and discover the academic, industrial, public, governance, and political parameters for the transportation sector as a case study to introduce deep journalism and our tool, DeepJournal (Version 1.0), that implements our proposed approach. We elaborate on 89 transportation parameters and hundreds of dimensions, reviewing 400 technical, academic, and news articles. The findings related to the multi-perspective view of transportation reported in this paper show that there are many important problems that industry and academia seem to ignore. In contrast, academia produces much broader and deeper knowledge on subjects such as pollution that are not sufficiently explored in industry. Our deep journalism approach could find the gaps in information and highlight them to the public and other stakeholders.
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Burns S, Tapsell A, Perlman D, Patterson C, Moxham L. Stigma in the media: Investigating journalism students attitudes towards mental illness. Int J Ment Health Nurs 2022; 31:104-110. [PMID: 34628715 DOI: 10.1111/inm.12941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Given the profound role that media play in public opinion, there exists an ongoing necessity to understand the portrayal of mental illness by journalists. There is a plethora of studies that have examined how mental illness is portrayed in the media, but few studies have sought to understand what journalist opinions about mental illness are, and none could be found regarding journalism students' opinions. This study aimed to bridge this gap by examining journalism student's attitudes towards mental illness using the Social Distance Scale (SDS). This study adheres to STROBE guidelines for cross-sectional studies. One hundred and seventy-two undergraduate journalism students (n = 172) completed the SDS with findings suggesting that students had moderate stigmatizing attitudes, with varying degrees of stigma present depending on the social context. Positively framed reporting and constructive media coverage surrounding mental illness may be improved by shared communication and education with health professionals who specialize in mental health: mental health nurses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn Burns
- School of the Arts, English & Media, Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Amy Tapsell
- Public Health Unit, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Dana Perlman
- School of Education, Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Christopher Patterson
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lorna Moxham
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, IHMRI, AHSRI, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
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Ferrari M, Fazeli S, Mitchell C, Shah J, Iyer SN. Exploring Empathy and Compassion Using Digital Narratives (the Learning to Care Project): Protocol for a Multiphase Mixed Methods Study. JMIR Res Protoc 2022; 11:e33525. [PMID: 35023844 PMCID: PMC8796048 DOI: 10.2196/33525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Digital stories-first-person, self-made, 2- to 3-minute videos-generate awareness, impart knowledge, and promote understanding on topics such as mental illness. Digital stories are a narrative-based art form often created by individuals without formal training in filmmaking to relate personal experiences. Somewhat like digital narratives, video testimonies created within the social marketing or fundraising campaigns of government agencies and private or public corporations aim to reduce the stigma of mental illness while supporting research and services. In video testimonies, personal stories are captured on camera by professional filmmakers. Sharing critical life events greatly benefits tellers and listeners alike, supporting catharsis, healing, connectiveness, and citizenship. OBJECTIVE This study explores digital stories and video testimonies featuring mental illness and recovery in their ability to elicit empathy and compassion while reducing stigma among viewers. METHODS Using mixed methods, phase 1 will involve a search of Canadian social marketing activities and fundraising campaigns concerning mental illness and recovery. Phase 2 will involve the organization of digital storytelling workshops in which participants will create digital stories about their own experiences of mental illness and recovery. In phase 3, a pilot randomized controlled trial will be undertaken to compare marketing and fundraising campaigns with digital stories for their impact on viewers, whereas phase 4 will focus on knowledge dissemination. RESULTS Ethics approval for this study was received in March 2021. Data on the feasibility of the study design and the results of the controlled trial will be generated. This study will produce new knowledge on effective ways of promoting mental health awareness and decreasing stigma, with practical importance for future social marketing and fundraising campaigns. The anticipated time for completion within the 2-year study period includes 9 months for phase 1 (knowledge synthesis activities identifying social marketing and fundraising campaigns) and phase 2 (storytelling workshops), 11 months for phase 3 (feasibility assessment and data collection: randomized controlled trial), and 2 months for phase 4 (knowledge dissemination). CONCLUSIONS The knowledge generated will have practical implications for the public and for future social marketing and fundraising campaigns promoted by government agencies as well as nonprofit and for-profit organizations by enhancing our understanding of how individuals and societies respond to stories of mental distress and what prompts citizens to help others. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04881084; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04881084. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/33525.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Ferrari
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sahar Fazeli
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Integrated Studies in Education, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Claudia Mitchell
- Department of Integrated Studies in Education, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jai Shah
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Srividya N Iyer
- Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Raj S, Ghosh A, Sharma B, Goel S. Portrayal of mental illness in Indian newspapers: A cross-sectional analysis of online media reports. Indian J Psychiatry 2021; 63:575-583. [PMID: 35136255 PMCID: PMC8793720 DOI: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_548_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Media portrayal of mental illness may influence public stigma and service utilization. AIM This study aims to explore the overall tone and content of the news articles on mental illnesses in India. MATERIALS AND METHODS This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on online English and Hindi news portals for articles which made reference to mental illness, published by local and national media sources between September 2019 and August 2020. The search was performed using location and news-only filters in the "Google" search engine; we used predefined search queries and selection criteria. A previously published checklist was used for the content analysis; it was done by two independent investigators. RESULTS A total of 273 news reports met inclusion criteria (Hindi n = 164, English n = 109). Results showed that more than half (54.9%) had a positive tone. Nearly a third (30.8%) of these articles were stigmatizing in tone. Persons with mental illness were portrayed as violent, unreliable, and unpredictable. Uses of blanket terms (33.3%) such as mentally ill, mentally unstable, mentally retarded, and stigmatizing photographs (36.9%) were also common. Overall, Hindi media had a significantly better quality of reporting than the English language media. National media reports had a less negative and stigmatizing tone than local articles. CONCLUSION There is a need for a concerted attempt to improve the quality of media reporting of mental illness in India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonika Raj
- Public Health Masters Programme, School of Medicine, University of Limerick, Ireland
| | - Abhishek Ghosh
- Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Babita Sharma
- Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Sonu Goel
- Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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Chaimowitz GA, Upfold C, Géa LP, Qureshi A, Moulden HM, Mamak M, Bradford JMW. Stigmatization of psychiatric and justice-involved populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 106:110150. [PMID: 33098908 PMCID: PMC7577257 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Psychiatric and justice-involved populations are known to be stigmatized and particularly vulnerable to adverse outcomes during COVID-19. The increased attention toward vulnerable populations from healthcare authorities, the media, and the general public has made it critical to uncover any developing stigmatization toward these groups and the possible consequences. The prioritization of public safety and shift in the prioritization of resource allocation and service delivery could lead to a rise in negative perceptions toward these already stigmatized groups. Thus, it is imperative to consider how the unique characteristics of vulnerable groups may impact their physical and mental health as well as their care during this pandemic. In this paper, we describe the challenges that psychiatric, correctional, and forensic psychiatry populations have faced during COVID-19 and how a rise in stigmatization could lead to adverse outcomes. Specifically, we outline the influence of the media on public perceptions and how stigmatization may be reflected in the allocation of resources, policies, and related decision-making during COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Andrew Chaimowitz
- Forensic Psychiatry Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, West 5th Campus, 100 West 5th Street, Hamilton, ON L8N3K7, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S4L8, Canada.
| | - Casey Upfold
- Forensic Psychiatry Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, West 5th Campus, 100 West 5th Street, Hamilton, ON L8N3K7, Canada
| | - Luiza Paul Géa
- Forensic Psychiatry Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, West 5th Campus, 100 West 5th Street, Hamilton, ON L8N3K7, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S4L8, Canada
| | - Aamna Qureshi
- Forensic Psychiatry Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, West 5th Campus, 100 West 5th Street, Hamilton, ON L8N3K7, Canada
| | - Heather Marie Moulden
- Forensic Psychiatry Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, West 5th Campus, 100 West 5th Street, Hamilton, ON L8N3K7, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S4L8, Canada
| | - Mini Mamak
- Forensic Psychiatry Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, West 5th Campus, 100 West 5th Street, Hamilton, ON L8N3K7, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S4L8, Canada
| | - John McDonald Wilson Bradford
- Forensic Psychiatry Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, West 5th Campus, 100 West 5th Street, Hamilton, ON L8N3K7, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S4L8, Canada
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Improvement for most, but not all: changes in newspaper coverage of mental illness from 2008 to 2019 in England. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci 2020; 29:e177. [PMID: 33148367 PMCID: PMC7681112 DOI: 10.1017/s204579602000089x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Time to Change, an anti-stigma programme in England, has worked to reduce stigma relating to mental illness in many facets of life. Newspaper reports are an important factor in shaping public attitudes towards mental illnesses, as well as working as a barometer reflecting public opinion. This study aims to assess the way that coverage of mental health topics and different mental illnesses has changed since 2008. METHOD Articles covering mental health in 18 different newspapers were retrieved using keyword searches on two randomly chosen days of each month in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2019. A content analysis approach using a structured coding framework was used to extract information from the articles. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the change in odds of each hypothesised stigmatising or anti-stigmatising element occurring in 2019 compared to 2008 and 2016 with a Wald test to assess the overall significance of year as a predictor in the model. Further logistic regression models were used to assess the association between the diagnosis that an article was about and the odds that it was stigmatising, and whether this relationship is moderated by year of publication. RESULTS A total of 6731 articles were analysed, and there was a significant increase in anti-stigmatising articles in 2019 compared to 2008 (OR 3.16 (2.60-3.84), p < 0.001) and 2016 (OR 1.40 (1.16-1.69), p < 0.001). Of the 5142 articles that specified a diagnosis, articles about schizophrenia were 6.37 times more likely to be stigmatising than articles about other diagnoses (OR 6.37 (3.05-13.29) p < 0.001), and there was evidence that the strength of this relationship significantly interacted with the year an article was published (p = 0.010). Articles about depression were significantly less likely to be stigmatising (OR 0.59 (0.69-0.85) p = 0.018) than those about other diagnoses, while there was no difference in coverage of eating disorders v. other diagnoses (OR 1.37 (0.67-2.80) p = 0.386); neither of these relationships showed an interaction with the year of publication. CONCLUSION Anti-stigma programmes should continue to work with newspapers to improve coverage of mental illness. However, interventions should consider providing specific guidance and promote awareness of rarer mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, and evaluation should examine whether reductions in stigma extend to people with all mental illness diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Guha
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Maudsley Philosophy Group, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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Whitley R, Sitter KC, Adamson G, Carmichael V. Can participatory video reduce mental illness stigma? Results from a Canadian action-research study of feasibility and impact. BMC Psychiatry 2020; 20:16. [PMID: 31918689 PMCID: PMC6953159 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-020-2429-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence suggests that stigma against people with mental illness remains high. This demands innovative approaches to reduce stigma. One innovative stigma reduction method is participatory video (PV), whereby marginalized people come together to script, film and produce bottom-up educational videos about shared issues. These videos are then shown to target groups. This paper has two objectives (i) to examine the feasibility of using participatory video with people with severe mental illness (SMI); and (ii) to assess viewer impressions of the resultant videos and subsequent subjective impact. METHODS We conducted a participatory action research study with three workgroups of people with severe mental illness situated in different Canadian cities, who set out to create and disseminate locally-grounded mental-health themed videos. This involved process and outcome evaluation to assess feasibility and impact. Specifically, we (i) observed fidelity to a co-designed action-plan in all three workgroups; (ii) distributed brief purpose-built questionnaires to viewers at organized screenings to assess preliminary impact; and (iii) conducted focus groups with viewers to elicit further impressions of the videos and subsequent subjective impact. RESULTS The three workgroups achieved high-fidelity to the action-plan. They successfully produced a total of 26 videos, over double the targeted number, during an 18-month period. Likewise, the workgroups organized 49 screenings at a range of venues attended by 1542 people, again exceeding the action-plan targets. Results from the viewer questionnaires (N = 1104, response rate 72%) indicated that viewers reported that their understandings had improved after watching the videos. Four themes emerged from six viewer focus groups (N = 30), with participants frequently noting that videos were (i) educational and informative; (ii) real and relatable; (iii) attention-grabbing; and (iv) change-inducing. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this study is the first large-scale multi-site project examining the feasibility and impact of a participatory video program for people with severe mental illness. The results indicate that participatory video is a feasible method in this population and gives preliminary evidence that resultant videos can reduce viewer stigma. Thus, participatory video should be considered a promising practice in the ongoing effort to reduce mental illness stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rob Whitley
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Hospital Research Centre, McGill University, 6875 LaSalle Blvd, Montreal, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada.
| | - Kathleen C. Sitter
- 0000 0004 1936 7697grid.22072.35University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4 Canada
| | - Gavin Adamson
- 0000 0004 1936 9422grid.68312.3eSchool of Journalism, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria St, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3 Canada
| | - Victoria Carmichael
- 0000 0004 1936 8649grid.14709.3bDepartment of Psychiatry, Douglas Hospital Research Centre, McGill University, 6875 LaSalle Blvd, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3 Canada
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Carmichael V, Whitley R. Media coverage of Robin Williams' suicide in the United States: A contributor to contagion? PLoS One 2019; 14:e0216543. [PMID: 31071144 PMCID: PMC6508639 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence suggests that suicide rates can increase following the suicide of a prominent celebrity or peer, sometimes known as 'suicide contagion'. The risk of contagion is especially high when media coverage is detailed and sensational. A recent study reported a 10% increase in U.S. suicides in the months following the suicide of comedian Robin Williams, who died in August 2014. The authors tentatively linked this increase to sensational media coverage; however, no content analysis of U.S. media was performed. As such, the aim of the present study is to formally examine the tone and content of U.S. newspaper coverage of Williams' suicide. The primary objective is to assess adherence to suicide reporting guidelines in U.S. newspapers after his suicide. The secondary objective is to identify common emerging themes discussed in these articles. The tertiary objective is to compare patterns of results in the U.S media with those in the Canadian media. Articles about Williams' suicide were collected from 10 U.S. newspapers in the 30-day period following his death using systematic retrieval software, which were then examined for adherence to suicide reporting recommendations. An inductive thematic analysis was also undertaken. A total of 63 articles were included in the study. We found that 100% of articles did not call it a 'successful' suicide, 96.8% did not use pejorative phrases and 71% did not say 'commit' suicide. However, only 11% included information about help-seeking, 27% tended to romanticize his suicide and 46% went into detail about the method. The most prominent emerging theme was Williams' struggles with mental illness and addiction. These findings suggest that U.S. newspapers moderately adhered to best practice recommendations when reporting Williams' suicide. Key recommendations were underapplied, which may have contributed to suicide contagion. New interventions targeting U.S. journalists and media may be needed to improve suicide reporting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Carmichael
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Rob Whitley
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- * E-mail:
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