Abstract

This Major Research Paper (MRP) investigates how mental illness and physical illness are portrayed in Canadian print media and analyzes if and how this contributes to the social stigmatization of mental illness. The MRP explores the following questions: What metaphoric and figurative language is used by the Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail to depict cancer and mental illness? How is authority depicted in newspaper articles about mental illness and physical illness in the Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail? What types of stories about cancer and mental illness are most commonly published by the Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail? A discourse analysis was used to analyze the ways both illnesses were consciously and unconsciously characterized in 58 articles from two of Canada’s most widely circulated newspapers. The quoted authorities and dominant story types were recorded in an attempt to further reveal how both illnesses are framed by the Canadian news media. The results indicated that the most commonly used metaphor within the cancer discourse was the war metaphor. Mental illness was commonly characterized as a loss of control. Patients were quoted significantly more often in articles about cancer than mental illness, suggesting that those with mental illness are not given a prominent voice in characterizing their own illness. Cancer stories were often related to new research. However, crime was most commonly associated with mental illness. These results frame cancer as illness that can be heroically battled collectively. On the contrary, mental illness is framed as a hopeless, personal affliction. These results may suggest that news media depictions of mental illness contribute to the stigmatization of the illness.

Highlights

  • But increasingly prevalent, mental illness is experienced by approximately 20% or one in five Canadians with 17% of Canadians experiencing mild to moderate mental illness and 3% experiencing severe mental illness

  • What metaphoric and figurative language is used by the Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail to depict cancer and mental illness?

  • How is authority depicted in newspaper articles about mental illness and physical illness in the Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail?

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Cancer is one of the most prevalent illnesses in Canada. Approximately two out of every five Canadians will develop cancer at some point in their lifetime (Canadian Cancer Society, 2015). In recent years there has been a greater shift to bring mental illness into the forefront to be socially accepted in the same way physical illnesses such as cancer are today, but many forms of mental illness are still heavily stigmatized. Initiatives such as the Bell Let’s Talk Day and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA)’s Psychological Health and Safety mandate reflect an effort to increase awareness and reduce stigma through a variety of campaigns, but many still shy away from talking about the subject or seeking treatment. According to the Canadian Medical Association, only 50% of Canadians would tell a friend that they had a family member with mental illness

Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.