Media and Mental Illness

On 5th October 2008, BALM organized a seminar on ‘Media and Mental Illness: Shaping popular perceptions’.

In its years of experience in the field, with rural communities and other partner organizations, The Banyan has shown that mental illness is like any other illness and is treatable.

However, there are several myths & misconceptions regarding the illness in society leading to stigmatising and ostracizing persons affected by it.

The Banyan has been working closely with NGO partners, media, concerned stakeholders & other change-agents towards building correct and positive perceptions of mental health issues, including mental illness.

The Banyan & BALM believe in a positive and open form of advocacy which includes accurate and sensitive portrayal of perceptions regarding mental health issues. Misconstruing facts and realities and stigmatising persons with mental illness enhances the already existing low levels of awareness of the general public regarding mental illness.

With this aim in mind, the Seminar was focussed on sharing experiences about common perceptions about people with mental illness and possible strategies to alter these perceptions.

For the report on the seminar, click here.