DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2018.v06i01.015

Pages: 81-84

We know that stigma exists with respect to mental illness and we also know that this interferes with the treatment-seeking behaviour of the individuals and adds to further difficulties after diagnosis, which is adjusting back to the society. On analysing where the stigma stems from, one of the factors identified is the media and its portrayal of mental illness. Having the young population exposed to the negative content when their attitudes are developing leads to negative perceptions expressed in later life. Hence, knowing that media propagates negative views, with children utilising it maximum at their stage of life, this paper attempts to highlight the gap with respect to stigma attached to mental illness that needs to be filled and targeting content at this stage itself will act as a protective factor facilitating positive views about the domain of mental health in general.