The media in American society has a major influential impact on the minds and beliefs of millions of people. Whether through the news, television shows, or film, the media acts as a huge database for knowledge and instruction. It is both an auditory and visual database that can press images and ideas into people's minds. Even if the individual has no prior exposure or knowledge to something, the media can project into people's minds and leave a lasting impression. Though obviously people are aware of what they are listening to or watching, thoughts and assumptions can drift into their minds without even realizing it. These thoughts that drift in are extremely influential. The massive impact it can leave on America's perception leads to generalizations, assumptions, and stigmas. The media influence is not always negative, however. In most cases it has beneficial and positive aspects. Without the media, people would be drastically less informed and conscientious about major issues in the world around us. In some cases, however, the way the media portrays an issue can twist one's perception, leaving an assumption instead of a factual concept. Mental illness is one of the biggest concepts

Media portrayal has influenced all factors involved with the public definition of mental illness. In some cases it is beneficial, for it at least makes people aware of mental illness instead of ignoring the problem by isolation, as it was done in the beginning. Studies show that at least seventy percent of Americans have seen or heard about some aspect of mental illness in the news in the past six months (National Mental Health Association, 2000). Yet in most cases it affects the awareness aspect negatively. A series of surveys found that selective media reporting reinforced the public’s stereotypes regarding the association of violence and mental illness. It encourages people to distance themselves from mental illness and those with it (Angermeyer & Matschinger, 1996).

Sources: Morrissey & Goldman, 1984; Goldman & Morrissey, 1985.

Mental Hygiene 1890-1920 Mental hospital or clinic Prevention, scientific orientation

that the media has distorted due to the majority of portrayals the media presents. Mental health is extremely important and plays a key role in every individual's life. Yet it is also has millions of misconceptions. Mental illness is more common that one would like to believe. In reality, one in five Americans will suffer from a mental disorder in any given year. Though that ratio is about equivalent to more than fifty-four million people, mental illness still remains a shameful and stigmatized topic (National Institute of Mental Health, n.d.). The taboo of mental illness has an extensive and exhausting history, dating back to the beginning of American colonization. It has not been an easy road to say the least. Due to the endless efforts and research of certain foundations and individuals, the ideas and functions of mental health have improved significantly. The advancements made in the field are impressive and without them humankind would not be the same. Yet then why do only fewer than eight million people who are in need of help seek treatment? (National Mental Health Association, 2001). The history, stigmatization, and perception of mental illness are some of the many reasons behind that alarming statistic.

Media portrayal influences are strong in news, television, and film. For this class I have seen many films featuring a character with mental illness. I believe that those portrayals influence the perception of mental illness very strongly, especially when the viewer does not have much education about the issue. The images they see leave a lasting imprint on the minds of Americans. The first movie I viewed was “Girl, Interrupted”. In this film there are two main characters that have borderline personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder. The film takes place in a mental hospital. The ward is depicted as a friendly and comforting atmosphere that does have its ups and downs but is generally a home like atmosphere. The characters are depicted somewhat correctly; the only discrepancies found where in some of the symptoms surrounding the two disorders. The main character Susanna was supposed to have borderline personality disorder. However, I found that she was not a realistic borderline. She did not seem to have any emotion towards her situation or anyone in her life. A true borderline waves back and forth with how she feels about many of the people in her life. If anything, Susanna was depressed. The other main character, Lisa, was diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder. She was my favorite character in the film; she portrayed her disorder perfectly. The second film I viewed was “What About Bob?" The character Bob had multi-phobic personality disorder with acute separation anxiety. This film was a comedy, so the symptoms and the possible severe consequences were downplayed to keep the movie light. Despite that fact, the character was accurately portrayed in the sense that it showed his compulsiveness symptoms such as wiping off door handles and other publicly used objects w

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