In 2022, the much anticipated Lancet  Commission report on ending stigma and discrimination in mental health was released. People with mental health conditions were involved in all aspects including the investigation of the role of media in stigma and discrimination. 

The report revealed that:

• Stigma and discrimination against people with mental health conditions in the media is a ‘global human rights crisis’, which at its worst can lead to suicide by affected persons.
• 70% of people with mental health conditions reported that the media made stigma and discrimination worse, and called upon them to pledge to change.
• Insensitive media reporting contributes to stigma and discrimination, which bars people from reaching their full potential, further worsening their mental health, and at worst leading to suicidal behaviour.

In the lead-up to the report’s release, more than 90 journalists joined Lancet Commissioners, and  NGOs involved in the Commission, United for Global Mental Health (UnitedGMH) and the Global Mental Health Peer Network (GMHPN), for a series of discussions and roundtables. These discussions provided a platform to engage the media in a new and authentic way to shift the narrative, increase understanding and change mental health reporting. 

Ahead of the Mental Health Action Day on 18 May 2023 and the World Health Assembly on May 21 – 30 May, UnitedGMH has organised a media roundtable discussion with journalists covering the African region to:

• Track progress of the implementation of the recommendations of the Lancet Commission on ending stigma and discrimination in mental health. This discussion will give journalists an opportunity to reflect, respond and take action to combat stereotypes and commit to accurate and sensitive reporting on mental health issues.
• Track implementation of the “media manifesto” which called upon media organizations to play their part in ending stigma and discrimination in mental health. Read the full manifesto here.
• Call for immediate, radical action from governments, international organisations, employers, healthcare providers, media organisations, and with people with lived experience to work together to end mental health stigma and discrimination.
• Call for all media to take action now to systematically remove stigmatising content and issue policy statements and action plans on how they will actively promote mental health and consistently contribute to reduction of stigma and discrimination in mental health.

 “Media around the world must commit to fundamental change to actively reduce stigma and discrimination in mental health.”  – Professor Sir Graham Thornicroft, the other Co-Chair of the Commission report, of the Centre for Global Mental Health at King’s College London 

 “I say to journalists – you must do something different. Don’t be like the others. Individuals should not see reporting as an end, they should see it as a means to an end to either change an attitude, to change the status quo, to reinforce what is positive.”  – Joshua Duncan, Country Director of the Mental Health Coalition, Sierra Leone

 “The media has the power to challenge stereotypes and normalise mental health conditions through reporting that creates greater societal awareness and support. This report from the Lancet is an opportunity for the media to reflect and take the lead in achieving better mental health for all.” – Sarah Kline, CEO of United for Global Mental Health

“This is more than a mental health crisis, it is a human rights crisis“, “Careless language and imagery used online and in news reports fuels stigmatising attitudes, barring people with mental health conditions from access to basic human rights – including healthcare, education, employment. ”- Charlene Sunkel, Founder and CEO of the Global Mental Health Peer Network, Co-Chair of the Lancet Commission report. 

To find out more about the report and to read the full Commission please visit the United for Global Mental Health Lancet Commission Hub. 

 

Media contact: faith@unitedgmh.org