A new index has been published that evaluates discourse about mental health in Israeli media and social media.
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The "Stigma Index," produced by Enosh – The Israeli Mental Health Association, found that 80% of mentions of mental health on social media were negative and/or offensive.
According to the index, established media outlets did better, although 33% of mental health references were still offensive. The index found 2,680 reports pertaining to mental health published in Israeli print, digital, and broadcast media in 2021, and a total of 62,385 discussions of mental health on social media.
"Throughout the years, we've learned that one of the major obstacles to people in crisis getting treatment is the negative stigma of the mental health field," explains Dr. Hilla Hadas, Executive Director of Enosh.
Hadas said that "Enosh has set a goal of raising awareness of how easily mental health terms are used … Overuse and mocking use of mental health descriptors hurts people dealing with mental health problems and their families, their legitimacy to seek help, and their ability to integrate into society.
"The study proves that everyone who uses the tools of expression available today is responsible for the discourse about mental health. I call on members of the media, elected officials, shapers of public opinion, celebrities, and the general public in Israel to avoid using these terms incorrectly or in an offensive manner, and help us create a legitimate discussion about mental health and reduce the stigma about people dealing with mental health issues," Hadas said.
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