Understanding psychology and people’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours has become central to some big media events recently.
As subscribers, many of us have questioned and tried to understand for example, Oscar Pistorius and the co-pilot who crashed in the French Alps. The media relied on a variety of mental health perspectives and opinions to explain these events.
Although talking about mental health in the media is incredibly important in breaking down the silence and stigma often associated with mental health, the media is also advised not to provide sensational, inaccurate, or misleading information and explanations. Pop psychology can have a negative impact on our understanding and feelings towards mental health and certain disorders.
For example, most people experiencing anxiety and depression are unlikely to murder other people. Many South Africans are diagnosed and treated for depression and anxiety and they do not commit these crimes.
These are unique cases, and there are more than likely other features of their mental health and circumstances that contribute to these events. I would like to caution the media and consumers of the media not to generalise mental health conditions or look for simple explanations.
