DOI: https://doi.org/10.63345/ijrsml.v13.i7.3
Dr Archita Banerjee
Associate Professor
iLEAD
Kolkata, India
Abstract
The media plays a vital role in shaping public perception, especially regarding sensitive issues like mental health. In India, where linguistic diversity adds complexity to social discourse, the narratives around mental health awareness in English-language media often differ from those in regional Indian languages. This comparative study explores how mental health topics are portrayed in English and regional media across India. By examining language tone, frequency of coverage, depth of reporting, stigma, and sources cited, the paper reveals disparities that influence public understanding. The research aims to contribute to the development of more inclusive, accurate, and culturally sensitive media strategies for mental health awareness.
Keywords
Mental health, media narratives, regional languages, awareness, India, stigma, journalism, English media, cultural context
References
- Bhattacharya, R. (2021). Mental health and Bengali news media: A content analysis. Journal of Media and Social Development, 9(2), 45–60.
- Desai, A., & Shah, R. (2017). Sensationalism in Hindi news channels: A thematic analysis of mental health content. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 59(1), 32–37. https://doi.org/10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_32_17
- Kumar, A., & Dutta, R. (2020). Framing mental health in English-language newspapers in India. Health Communication, 35(6), 689–696. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2019.1585755
- Narayan, D., & Srinivas, K. (2018). Media representations and mental illness: A study in South India. South Asian Journal of Social Studies, 4(1), 90–104.
- Press Council of India. (2010). Norms of Journalistic Conduct. https://presscouncil.nic.in/WriteReadData/Pdf/norms2010.pdf
- National Mental Health Survey of India 2015–16. NIMHANS & Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. https://main.mohfw.gov.in
- Singh, S., Gupta, P., & Arora, P. (2019). Mental illness in media: A comparative study of two English dailies. Indian Journal of Health Studies, 5(3), 211–225.
- Wahl, O. F. (1995). Media Madness: Public Images of Mental Illness. Rutgers University Press.
- World Health Organization. (2017). Preventing suicide: A resource for media professionals. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241565618
- Mental Health Foundation. (2021). Media guidelines for mental health reporting. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/
- Chakravarty, D. (2022). Representation of mental health in Indian languages. International Journal of Communication and Health, 12(4), 133–141.
- Sharma, N. (2023). Framing anxiety: An analysis of Malayalam newspapers. Kerala Journal of Communication, 11(1), 23–38.
- Indian Psychiatric Society. (2018). Guidelines for Reporting on Mental Health. https://indianpsychiatricsociety.org
- Ananthakrishnan, L. (2020). The role of regional journalism in public health communication. Indian Journal of Public Health Research, 14(4), 367–373.
- Thomas, J., & Rao, A. (2021). Narratives of mental health during COVID-19 in Telugu media. Hyderabad Media Studies, 9(2), 78–92.
- Rajan, A. (2023). Ethical dilemmas in covering suicides in regional press. Indian Journal of Media Ethics, 7(1), 49–58.
- Bajaj, S. (2020). Comparative study of psychological discourse in English and Hindi newspapers. Delhi Communication Journal, 14(2), 105–117.
- Acharya, K. (2019). Mental illness, religion, and representation in Bengali journalism. Cultural Studies Review India, 6(3), 97–108.
- Singh, A. (2021). Health communication through the vernacular press. Indian Journal of Communication Studies, 18(1), 25–33.
- Media for Mental Health India Initiative. (2023). Training manual for journalists. https://mediaformentalhealth.in/manuals