Rep of mental health

Question: What do you know about schizophrenia? How much of this is from films that you have seen?

Analyse the representations of

mental health in the media

MS1: Representations of MS1: Representations of Issues: Mental HealthIssues: Mental Health

Apply theories and concepts of representation to analysis.

Today…Today…

Why?Why?

AO2: Apply knowledge & understanding when analysing media products and processes to show how meaning is created.

In a nutshell: Exam practice! Representations will be a question in the exam – it could be issues!

How do these texts reinforce or challenge what you know about it?

What do they not tell us about schizophrenia?

Perception from media Reality

Implies split personalities

The split personalities are extreme in nature – Jekyll &

Hyde

Madness, violence, aggression ‘psychotic’ behaviour

Incurable and uncontrollable

Outcast in society – people that should be feared (or

alternatively it can be seen as something to be mocked or

made light of)

Split or multiple personalities is not a symptom of Schizophrenia – it’s a completely different condition, and even then there’s nothing to suggest that these would juxtapose each other.People with severe mental illnesses are more likely to harm themselves than others.

With the correct medication and support many people that have severe mental illness can overcome their condition.

Despite living in more liberal times, severe mental illnesses can be very isolating & many sufferers commit suicide

In pairs discuss films you can think of which associate mental illness with violence, aggression and as something to be feared...

These representations often Stereotype mental illness......what two characteristics have we previously suggested make up a stereotype?

1.2.

Appearance (including accent)Behaviour - what people do

The Dark Knight – The JokerThe Dark Knight – The Joker

How does the Joker reinforce stereotypes of mental illness based on:

1. Appearance2. Behaviour

Batman describes The Joker as a: “Schizophrenic clown”, experts in psychiatric care and mental health describe him as an: “Incorrect stereotype”.

Pi – A balanced representation?Pi – A balanced representation?Darren Aranofsky’s first movie looks at a brilliant mathematician called Max Cohen and his descent into madness as he obsessively attempts to discover numerical patterns which will allow him to understand the world around him.

The representation of Max’s decline in mental health is interesting in the way that the audience is positioned by the director.

Rather than looking at what happens in each scene concentrate on how technical codes have been used to represent Max’s illness.

• Sound• Camera• Editing

Analyse the different ways in which the director has positioned the audience to represent the mental health of this character.

Is it a positive or negative representation? Does it matter?

Sound EditingFraming

If representation of issues comes up, the question may look something like this...

With reference to your own detailed examples, explore the ways in which two different issues are represented in the media today?

[30]

With reference to your own detailed examples, explore the ways in which two different issues are represented in the media today?

[30]

The exam question.The exam question.

This week and in your revision booklet we will be exploring both the issue of Mental Health and Asylum Seekers.

If Representation of Issues does come up then you can use any two issues you have researched and can analyse...

...this includes the ones we will be discussing this week...

...you just have to be sure that you have examples from different types of media.

With reference to your own detailed examples, explore the ways in which two different issues are represented in the media today?

[30]

With reference to your own detailed examples, explore the ways in which two different issues are represented in the media today?

[30]

Mental Health in FilmMental Health in Film

Write the opening two paragraphs of an answer to this question based on the issue of Mental Health and using examples from film.

Success Checklist...

•Are you being specific about your examples?•Are you discussing stereotypes?•Are you discussing typical and challenging representations?•Have you analysed a range of different codes rather than just things that happen in the narrative?• Have you made a point/argument?

How does the following sequence use stereotypes of mental illness?

In what ways can this be considered to be a negative stereotype? Does it matter?

Balanced or Stereotypical?Balanced or Stereotypical?Corrie has recently featured a storyline which represents the sensitive issue of Alzheimer’s – read the article, then watch the sequence...

How has the illness been represented? Is the article correct? Now look at the responses to the article...Which are preferred, negotiated or oppositional?

“Last night she was facing the axe from the series after a Sun investigation revealed she had been diagnosed with serious mental issues - but had not informed show bosses.Psychiatrists have declared she has a series of problems which may affect her ability to care for Mariah. And experts fear she may worsen if propelled to fame by The X Factor.A medical source said: "Shirlena is as fragile as Susan Boyle was - but the difference is that Susan didn't have a child to worry about."We believe this woman is not a suitable candidate for a reality show that can cause immense stress and instant fame."Hopefully the makers will agree that the best thing for Shirlena and her child is to gently drop them from filming and let us help her be the best mother she can."The source added: "Sadly Shirlena is not in the best of health. She has been described by expert professionals as a 'ticking timebomb'.”

What are the ideologies of The Sun surrounding mental illness?

Analyse the language used as well as the images.

Analyse the four representations of mental health from the same story. Make sure you look at pictures as well as words? Hint: Some elements are more subtle than others.

Are some representations more ‘sympathetic’ than others?

• Selection• Organisation• Focus

How have the texts been mediated? What processes has the issue of mental health been through?

Mediation?Mediation?

With reference to your own detailed examples, explore the ways in which two different issues are represented in the media today?

[30]

With reference to your own detailed examples, explore the ways in which two different issues are represented in the media today?

[30]

What next?What next?You should now be able to write in depth and with many different examples about how this issue has been represented.Here’s what the question might look like...

Success Checklist...

•Are you being specific about your examples?•Are you discussing theories such as Mediation & Stereotyping?•Are you discussing typical and challenging representations?•Have you analysed a range of different codes rather than just things that happen in the narrative?• Have you made a point/argument?

http://tabloid-watch.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/overly-optimistic.html

http://enemiesofreason.co.uk/2010/08/23/is-zany-the-new-bonkers/

http://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/pdfs/mindovermatter_summary.pdf

http://www.mentalhealthstigma.com/cinemania/alongcameaspider.html

http://www.dementia.co.uk/news/coronation-street-storyline-on-alzheimers-its-truth-fact-and-fiction-time/