Schizophrenia is the most stigmatised mental illness

New research by SANE Australia finds that schizophrenia is the most stigmatised mental illness. An analysis of complaints made by the public to SANE's StigmaWatch program about media reporting of mental illness has found that nearly 1 in 4 relate to schizophrenia. By comparison, only 1 in 50 complaints are about the irresponsible media reporting of depression.

"We are beginning to see the positive impact of depression awareness campaigns in the media, which is very encouraging. Unfortunately, schizophrenia continues to be one of the most misrepresented and misunderstood illnesses in the community," says SANE Australia Executive Director Barbara Hocking.

The report, SANE Research Bulletin 10: Stigma, the media and mental illness, found that 23 per cent of the complaints made about schizophrenia involved sensationalised media reporting. Many of these complaints related to media reports that perpetuate violent or dangerous stereotypes, or incite community fear about the illness.

The number of media reports about schizophrenia that emphasise violence or threatening behaviour misrepresent the actual statistics: one in one hundred people will experience schizophrenia but the lifetime risk of someone with schizophrenia seriously harming or killing another person is calculated to be just .005%.

"It is certainly alarming that many media representations of schizophrenia are sensationalised, suggesting the risk is far greater than in reality," Ms Hocking said. "Such irresponsible media reporting causes unnecessary distress to the majority of people with schizophrenia who lead peaceful lives, having a negative effect on how they feel about themselves and how well they are accepted by others.

"SANE would like to see more stories about the real, every day experience of living with schizophrenia and less sensationalised reporting positioning those affected as violent or incompetent outcasts."

Encouragingly, there has been a significant increase in responsible and accurate media reporting of depression, with nearly 1 in 3 nominations for positive media coverage focussing on the illness. According to Ms Hocking, the "coming out" of many high profile figures experiencing depression has had a large role to play in community understanding and acceptance of the illness.

"The combination of awareness campaigns and responsible media reporting of depression has encouraged people to start talking, seek help and feel less excluded," Ms Hocking said.

"SANE encourages the media to extend responsible reporting to all mental illnesses; the sad reality for people living with schizophrenia is that the stigma they experience can be just as distressing as the symptoms themselves. Media have a major role to play in helping to improve this situation so that any person with a mental illness feels understood and accepted by the community."

SANE's StigmaWatch program monitors the Australian media to ensure accurate and respectful representation of mental illness. Complaints are submitted by community members concerned about media reports which stigmatise mental illness or promote self-harm and suicide. The program also provides positive feedback to the media about accurate and responsible portrayals of mental illness, based on nominations from the public.

(Source: SANE Australia: SANE Research Bulletin 10: Stigma, the media and mental illness: December 2009)