Yeah. Or it’s so easy to take a pill and be all better! Taking medication is a serious commitment and in no way guaranteed to help.
About what, Daze?
Sorry for straying off topic. I have respect for hollywood when it comes to trying to portray of mental illnesses. It may stem from being a celebrity and knowing people are looking out for everything you do.
But if it’s done wrong it can leave out a lot of reality and be another source of false information. Film is an art form, and in all genres facts are suspended to enhance the art. Movies are also a short amount of time to get it all in. If the plot revolves around the story of mental illness there is a greater chance it will be positive. A schizophrenic thrown in to increase dramatic effect, with no attention to making an accurate reference, is just as bad as negative media portrayal.
I think a lot of it depends on what brand of media you consume as well.
I don’t watch television any more but am aware that some news and media outlets are more biased than others. Mainstream media, I see, as very fear based. It sells.
I think a lot of people would agree that the media is looking to sell a story. The problems arise when a few ignorant people say some dumb things and others believe them. If you think about the number of people on this planet in relation to people who spew lies about schizophrenics and violence - it’s pretty small. It can have a big impact though. Our last governer cut the budget for mental health (among education etc) so drastically that many programs were cut. This included a warm line in one of the roughest areas. Also drop in centers and peer support programs. Without these programs people have to turn to emergency rooms or inpatient units that surely surpass the cost of maintaining helpful programs. It really depends on who has the power.
It definitely helps that there are relatives who remember us before the onset of mental illness and hurt whenever someone speaks badly about us as a whole. If only more were compassionate about those who have no relatives wiling to speak up for them or care for them.
Unfortunately, that is how public opinion is formed. How people get elected and where the money goes.
Can’t stop building those weapons though…phhht.
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No doubt.
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