My thoughts on awareness ads. Probably do make more people aware BUT do they make the masses understand and therefore view and tolerate mental illness in a more positive light???
I guess the ad could be a lecture by god herself and I would still be unhappy. I feel uncomfortable when the negative views are Said aloud! It feels like the radio or TV is talking to me.
** I would rather have the pony and poodle show. " Look how I cope and manage! "
To me, it really depends on how well the ad is done. Some I agree seem to promote stigma rather then aim to reduce it. But I have seen some that were really well done. I have seen some that were quite good and that would really help in my opinion. So I guess I am on the fence on this. I find advertisement and awarenesss campaigns should be very careful of what they put out there. But I do think it is necessary to raise public awareness and teach others about mental illness.
Have you thought about this add in a positive light? The ad could be portrayed as a campaign to make people more aware as many do not understand how depression affects people. Therefore, what I get from the ad is that they are saying people who have a mental illness are not lazy or unambitious, they are mentally ill.
Wildcat, I couldn't agree with you more. I don't know where you are, but here we have ads that promote the stigma's surrounding depression and other mental illnesses. There are also what I refer to as dog and pony shows. Where they tromp people around who have a mental illness or mental retardation. These people are telling how they manage their lives. I don't think this is positive. I am like you, I don't see people with other types of disabilities being led around sharing "their stories". I don't think this does much to promote awareness and reduce stigma! I am on a bandwagon about this, I guess you can tell that I whole heartedly agree with you and I shouldn't have gotten started on this subject. I could go on and on and on....
On the up side, I am glad to hear that I am not the only one who feels this way!!!!!
A while ago we were discussing attempts by the media to break some of the stigma around mental illness. wll the provincial gov.t here has started a new series of ads and they are driving me to distraction!
I am his boss and I think he is taking advantage of the system.
I am a coleague and I think he not ambitious.
I am a friend and I think he is lazy.
I am his doctor and I know he has an illness.
Are they trying to give people more dumb ideas?
Really. What bothers me is that It makes me feel like a sign is being put on my shirt. I am not lazy I am sick. How did attitudes change towards diabetics? towards cardic patients? cancer patients? I do not remember ads for them ... I do remember ads for HIV and AIDS.
I feel like this big red and white target is painted on me each time the dumb ad comes on ... at home, at work, even at the shopping center on the electronics dept!
