By<\/strong>\u00a0Alex Bushill, head of media and PR at mental health charity Mind<\/strong><\/p>\n

At its best, the media entertains, educates, and influences. At its worst, it misinforms, distorts, and polarises. Nowhere is this truer than in how the media deals with mental health.<\/p>\n

Attitudes to mental health, as reality TV producers like to say, have been on a\u00a0journey<\/i>. And what an amazing journey it\u2019s been. The way we view mental health and how we talk about our own has transformed in just a decade. But just how much of that positive change has been reflected on our screens and on our airwaves?<\/p>\n

When mental health is depicted, it\u2019s so important that it\u2019s done well. Authentically. Accurately. <\/blockquote> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>
New research we\u2019ve carried out with ITV shows that one in four of us have realised we are experiencing a mental health problem ourselves after watching or listening to a mental health storyline on air, whether that\u2019s in a long-running BBC soap<\/a> or the latest Netflix drama. Whether you\u2019ve been moved by Netflix\u2019s coming-of-age drama Heartstopper<\/a> or Channel 4\u2019s Pure which deals with Marnie\u2019s experience of OCD, soaps have real power.<\/p>\n
So, for example, after episode 2 of Pure, where Marnie learns she has OCD, visits to Mind\u2019s OCD information pages increased by a whopping 77 per cent. And it\u2019s not just Mind who thinks there are more and more sensitive portrayals in the media \u2013 a recent poll we did on LinkedIn showed that more than 80 per cent of those who replied think the media has got better at depicting mental health.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s no surprise that soaps are one of the most powerful ways to relay what living with a mental health problem is like. What other format allows us as viewers to follow a character\u2019s story so intimately? With every episode, we invest in them more and will them to succeed. That\u2019s why well-informed storylines raise awareness and challenge outdated attitudes and myths. They also give a unique insight into mental health problems and where you can get support. In short, soaps dedicate more time and space to tell a story that allows us \u2013 the audience \u2013 to relate to the character and root for them through all their inevitable trials and tribulations.<\/p>\n
Giving this space is so important because symptoms can be more realistically depicted, developing over time. The character\u2019s journey is more nuanced and authentic and there doesn\u2019t have to be a rush to reach a crisis point. For our new media guidelines<\/a>, we spoke to lots of people \u2013 with lived experiences of mental health problems \u2013 about the storylines which made the biggest impact on them.\u00a0For example, which storylines encouraged them to start a conversation or seek information and support?<\/p>\n
Among the soap storylines most praised were Darren\u2019s depression storyline and Imran\u2019s experience of an eating problem in Hollyoaks<\/a>, and Stacey\u2019s experience of bipolar disorder and post-partum psychosis in EastEnders<\/a>. The episodes around Stacey\u2019s experience of post-partum psychosis received national news coverage and sparked a much-needed conversation about a diagnosis that many people hadn\u2019t heard of, as well as highlighting the support which can be offered to new mothers. For our supporters, these storylines make the most of how soaps can speak to their audience.<\/p>\n
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