Narrators of Invisible Sufferings and Ambassadors of Hope in Mental Health / The Necessity of Replacing Stigma with Human Representation
Narrators of Invisible Sufferings and Ambassadors of Hope in Mental Health / The Necessity of Replacing Stigma with Human Representation
Dr. Gita Sedighi, a faculty member of the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, on the occasion of Mental Health Week, emphasized the vital role of the media in shaping public attitudes toward mental illnesses and called for a change in approach from displaying suffering toward responsible and human narration.
According to the university's web correspondent, Dr. Gita Sedighi, in analyzing the role of the media as narrators of invisible human suffering, she stated: The media possesses a unique capacity to transform the personal and individual experiences of people with mental disorders into social and public issues. Through a human and comprehensive representation of affected individuals — rather than reducing them to merely a medical diagnosis — the media can portray a more realistic and empathetic image of the person in society.
Vocabulary: The Boundary Between Destigmatization and Harm
This specialist in the field of psychiatry, emphasizing the strategic importance of vocabulary in mental health, stated: The choice of words has a direct impact on society's attitude and the individual's self-concept. For example, the distinction between the term affected individual and stigmatizing vocabulary is not merely a literary debate, but an ethical and therapeutic necessity, because stigma and discrimination are among the main obstacles on the path of social participation and access to treatment services, which the media can play a key role in reducing or intensifying.
Warning Against Sensationalism in Sensitive Reports
In another part of her speech, Dr. Sedighi warned about the high sensitivity of reporting on challenging topics such as suicide and said: The media must avoid any sensationalism, the presentation of unnecessary details, and the use of inappropriate images that can have unfortunate consequences for the audience.
She added: The responsible approach of the media should be such that, instead of focusing merely on the suffering itself and the representation of pain, it focuses on concepts such as hope, paths to recovery, and ways to receive help, to guide the audience toward constructive action and seeking support rather than anxiety.
The Necessity of Linking the University and the Media
In conclusion, the faculty member of the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences emphasized the importance of close cooperation between scientific institutions and the media and added: Responsible narration requires specialized training of journalists and the use of credible scientific sources. Our goal is for the media to not only move the audience but also make them more aware and prepare them for social support, in such a way that the media itself becomes part of the path to treatment and solution.
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