Alyssa Sinko

Multimedia Writing and Rhetoric

Dr. McLaughlin
11/14/14
Insane in the Membrane: Media Portrayal of Mental Illness
Mental illness is a disease that plagues millions of Americans every year. According to
the World Health Organization, Around 450 million people currently suffer from such
conditions, placing mental disorders among the leading causes of ill-health and disability
worldwide (WHO). 450 million people is larger that the population of the United States alone,
and with the amount affected it is no surprise that most Americans have been either touched by
mental illness personally, or through a family member or friend. As a result of decades of mass
media, this disease has gained a negative stigma, which affects the daily lives of those with
mental illness. According to a study by the Daniel Yanklovich Inc., Seven of every eight survey
respondents cited television and news programs as a source of information about mental illness
(Diefenbach 290). Television and news broadcasting are therefore pivotal in the process of
shaping opinions on mental illness. However, unlike news broadcasting, television shows, such
as Law and Order: SVU, lessen the stigma associated with mental illness.

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In terms of mental illness the most overwhelming stigma, or disgrace, associated with the
disease is its link to violence and dangerousness. This link has been strengthened by the portrayal
of mass media. For example, in a 1999 study, out of all stories analyzed on the topic of mental
illness, 26% involved accounts of crimes and/or violence perpetrated by a person with a mental
illness (Wahl 1595). With over a quarter of all mentally ill broadcasting on the subject of crime
and violence, and an overwhelming negative tone associated with disease, stigmas have been
created and have persisted. In 1996, Thornton and Wahl, two renowned psychologists, created a
study where the experimental group read a news story about a mentally ill man who killed a
young girl, while the control group read a non-violent story about a mental illness. Upon
assessment, those who read the article on violence were more likely to interpret the mentally ill
as dangerous and in need of watching (Wahl 1596). These results show the effect news media
has on the view of mental illness. This dangerousness felt by the experimental group is the result
of the newfound stigma they received from the article.
There are ways for mass media to halt the increasing stigmatization of the mentally ill. As
psychiatrist Richard Friedman states, it should be standard journalistic practice to include
epidemiologic and statistical context whenever covering stories that focus on violence or
dangerousness. Epidemiologic and statistical context give the viewer a basis upon which to
judge the material present. An example of statistics referred to by Friedman that can be included

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to lessen stigmas is the percent of violence associated with the mentally ill. For example, It is
estimated that only 3 percent to 5 percent of all violence in the country can be attributed to
mental illness (Friedman). Out of all the violence heard of in newspapers and news
broadcasting only 3-5% is actually attributed to mental illness. This means that 97-95% of
violence is credited to people not affected by mental illness. With such little violence coming
from the 46% of Americans with mental illness, it is obviously unjust to associate them with
violence. Another way to lessen stigma is by Putting a human face on a psychiatric illness, as
any social scientist can tell you, makes it easier for people to empathize and identify with those
affected, (Friedman). Media specialists can also use humanization by interviewing specialists
for example that can explain the condition of the violent person along with give background
information on how society contributed to the persons outburst. Another way would be to
interview family and friends of the person.
Although the news has made great strides in reducing stigmatizing the mentally ill, the
advice from Friedman is not utilized. For example an article posted on November 1st, 2014 by
the UK News is titled, Paranoid schizophrenic car park attendant slashed partner's throat
because they were 'being attacked by demons' (Raikna). The title alone is leading the reader to
believe the man suffering from schizophrenia is insane by stating immediately that he had a
mental disease and then linking this mental disease the to slashing the throat of his partner.

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Roger Thomas, a forensic scientist, was later quoted in the article stating that the schizophrenic
man was grossly psychotic (Raikna). The word gross has a negative connotation usually
referring to something that is vulgar or disgusting. Raikna using Thomas as an expert leads to
this bias. Roger Thomas is a forensic scientist who could possibly be an expert in his field, but
however, is not an expert in the field of psychology. Therefore his opinion of the schizophrenic
is not an expert opinion. Raikna also withholds statistics on mental illness or violence
associated with mental illness and also interviews with family or friends or any information to
give a background on why this tragedy occurred. He is furthermore increasing the stigma of
mental illness due to his biased form of news.

Unlike news media, there are some sources of mass media, which do work to decrease
the stigma associated with mental illness. Television, for example, uses a different technique
while portraying stories. These stories include, as Michael Morgan, an expert in media affects
research, states, myths and legends to sitcoms and cop shows, which tend to express, define,
and maintain a culture's dominant assumptions, expectations, and interpretations of social
reality (Gans & Wardle). Television tends to follow these guidelines of keeping to the social
norms in order to relate to viewers. These social norms include up to date media broadcasting of

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events and general opinions of these matters. Television stories therefore are an extension of our
reality, using the basis of real stories from real life.
An example of a television show, which maintains a culture's dominant assumptions,
expectations, and interpretations of social reality (Gans & Wardle) is Law and Order: SVU. The
show uses a format that converts stories from the media into a realistic interpretation of the event
while of course increasing some dramatic elements. It primarily focuses on Special Victims
Crimes, which for the most part include sexual assault. However, many episodes deal with
perpetrators who are mentally ill. This show is a prime representation of prime time ripped from
the headlines crime shows because the show is on its 16th season on television and is played on
a constant loop on the USA Network and NBC. Thus the show is easily accessible and has been
viewed by a large part of the public.
The show Law and Order: SVU use(s) narrative, drama, and emotion to provide a new
and important space in which society can negotiate definitions and attitudes about different
social and political issues, (Gans & Wardle). These issues include sexual assault, insanity, and
other timely issues. The show creates this negotiability through the dual parts of the
programming. The first half [] mimic(s) the focus of news coverage with its emphasis on the
investigation of fact, whereas the second half move(s) beyond the realms of typical journalism
and ask(s) questions about why an individual committed a crime and to what extent the society in

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which s/he lived was responsible for those actions, (Gans & Wardle). These two halves to Law
and Order: SVU create this negotiability because unlike a typical news segment, which is the
first half of the show, the show goes further into a second part of the program. They take the
investigation one step further in this second half by explaining the why of the criminal act.
This why humanizes the perpetrator and as Friedman states, invites the viewer to easily
empathize. This process of humanization decreases the stigma attached with mental illness.
Examples of this process of humanization in Law and Order: SVU can be found
throughout the 16 seasons, for example in Season 8 episode 4, titled, Uncle. The episode was
about the rape and murder of a young girl. The detectives received a lead of an old homeless
man, and upon checking out the lead, the detectives realized the severity of his mental illness.
They tore apart his cardboard home and ripped him from the box. They went through his
property without receiving consent. A detective asks, Do we need a search warrant for a
cardboard box? and the other detective replies, Believe it or not that is a precedent. Screw it
(Law and Order). They completely disregarded the rights of the mentally disabled man and took
him into questioning. This lack of regard for the rights of a fellow human being because of a
mental defect is an effect of the growing stigma on mental illness. Later in questioning, the
detectives continuously harass the poor man showing him pictures of the brutal crime scene and
asking accusatory questions such as, You dont feel a little bad about how she died? (Law and

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Order). Each time the detectives asked a question like this the main appeared visibly upset and
once jumped back in fear. His reaction humanized the stereotypically perceived mentally ill
man through his pure sadness. The photo did not only personally move the man but also visibly
upset him, which would be considered a normal reaction. It was later revealed that the man
was in fact not the killer or even remotely violent.
This episode uses the technique discussed by Gans and Wardle, negotiating definitions
and attitudes about different social issues. The show showed the common reaction produced
from stigma, the assumption that the violent crime was committed by the mentally ill, and later
proved it wrong. Showing examples of these nonviolent individuals challenges the stereotype
and diminishes the stigma.
In Season 9, episode 1 of Law and Order: SVU the process of lessening stigmatization
was used through statistics and professional opinions. A woman who was a suspect for a crime
was originally diagnosed with Dissociative identity disorder, or what is most commonly
referred to as multiple personality disorder. When the detectives asked the psychologist of this
disease he replied, When a child is repeatedly abused she can detach and imagine that is
happening to someone else. Additional personalities are created as needed to cope with the
trauma (Law and Order). He later adds on to this statement by reiterating the fact that it is
uncommon for this to occur. Adding the expert opinion of a psychiatrist proves validity to the

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claim that the mentally ill woman is a result of her unfortunate circumstance. Once again the
show is humanizing the perpetrator by tying her illness to an inconceivable abuse, which she did
not cause herself. Also by reiterating the fact that this disease is unusual, it lessens the stigma
attached with the mentally ill because it is a very small portion of the population of the disease.
Therefore the violence should not be associated with the whole of the disease.

It is logical to believe however, that crime television is as guilty as the news media if not
more in increasing stereotypes. Found in a study by a mass media expert, 33.9% of all violent
crimes on all shows were perpetrated by the mentally ill (Diefenbach 295). This counteracts with
the 3-5% of violence in real life done by those effected with the disease. The higher number of
crimes shown on television could mislead a viewer to believe that most crimes are indeed done
by the mentally unstable. However, ripped from the headlines television such as Law and
Order, once again, illustrates the why portion of crime. This why counteracts the brutality
and shows how the mentally ill are sometimes a result of their circumstances through
humanization.

Another counterargument proposed by the same expert, Television portrays the mentally
ill as significantly more violent than other television characters and significantly more violent
than the mentally ill in the real world (Diefenbach 300). This has to do with the video content

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linked with the crime. Unlike newspaper, on television the brutal crimes are viewed in high
definition. Every agonizing detail is viewed which are painfully detrimental to the portrayal of
the assaulter. However, this detail that is viewed is also viewed for non-mentally ill perpetrators.
Also, according to a psychological expert cited above, Friedman, by placing a face on mental
illness there is a humanizing affect, which counteracts the stigmatization.

As expert Friedman states, There is no escaping bad news, but there is a way to escape
the stigmatization resulted from bad news. Ripped from the headlines television has made
strides to counteract the ever-increasing stigma associated with mental illness. In order for news
media to reach the point that crime television is currently at, revisions must be made. The stigma
of mental illness has been perpetuated and increased from news media but media professionals
can change this trend by adapting features from crime television.

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Work Cited

Diefenbach, Donald L. "The Portrayal of Mental Illness on Prime-time Television."

Journal of Community Psychology 25.3 (1997): 289-302. Web. 6 Nov. 2014

Friedman, Richard A. "Media and madness: for better and worse, the news media and
entertainment industry shape public opinion about mental illness." The American
Prospect 19.7 (2008): A2+. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 6 Nov. 2014.

Gans, Rachel. and Wardle, Claire. "Mad or Bad? Negotiating the Boundaries of
Mental Illness on Law & Order" Paper presented at the annual meeting of the
International Communication Association, Marriott Hotel, San Diego, CA, May 27, 2003.

"Mental Disorders Affect One in Four People." WHO. Web. 11 Nov. 2014.

Rkaina, Sam. "Paranoid Schizophrenic Car Park Attendant Slashed Partners Throat Because
They Were Being Attacked by Demons UK News. 01 Nov. 2014. Web. 12 Nov. 2014.

Wahl, Otto F. (2003). News media portrayal of mental illness:

Implications for public policy. The American Behavioral Scientist, 46(12), 1594.

Wolfe, Dick, and David Platt. "Alternate." Law and Order: SVU. NBC. 25 Sept. 2007.
Television.

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Wolfe, Dick, and David Platt. "Uncle." Law and Order: SVU. NBC. 10 Oct. 2006. Television.