Media Representation of Mental Health Shaping Public Perception

The general public's view surrounding mental health and its policies is affected by the media in many ways. These include one's attitude towards mental illness, the stigma around it, general societal attitude, policymaking, and one's behaviour. Traditionally, media representation has always negative stereotypes, such as considering a person with a mental illness to be a danger to themselves and those around them or being overly dramatic about the illness instead of treating it as a genuine concern. Fortunately, recent changes focus on the right portrayal of mental health, which assists in destigmatizing and encouraging seeking of professional help This study examines the impact of diverse media types like television, films, news, and social media on the public perception of mental health. It demonstrates the harms caused by sensational exaggeration, misrepresentation, and self-diagnosis, and at the same time, demonstrates how good self-representation can facilitate mental health advocacy. The study also looks into the issue of representation of mental health across cultures focusing on how different cultures across the globe construct media depictions.The key conclusions rest on the fact that there is a gap in the public’s understanding of mental illness, meaning media literacy programs and changes in policy surrounding the ethics of content creation are required. Further research should consider examining the effects of media portrayals on the public and the role of digital influencers in shaping mental health conversations.