Newspaper coverage of mental illness in the UK, 1992-2008

• Main Authors: Thornicroft Graham, Rose Diana, Evans-Lacko Sara, Corker Elizabeth, Goulden Robert, Henderson Claire
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2011-10-01
• Series: BMC Public Health
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11/796

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Recent years have seen a number of attempts to reduce the stigma related to mental illness; the media can play a significant role in perpetuating this stigma. This paper analyses trends in newspaper coverage of mental illness in the UK between 1992-2008 across a range of psychiatric diagnoses.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A content analysis was performed on a sample of articles (<it>n </it>= 1361) about mental illness in a range of UK newspapers in 1992, 2000, and 2008.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was a significant proportional reduction in negative articles about mental illness between 1992 and 2008, and a significant increase in articles explaining psychiatric disorders. Coverage improved for depression but remained largely negative for schizophrenia.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Newspaper coverage of mental illness became less stigmatising overall in the 1990s and 2000s, but this was not true for all diagnoses.</p>