Posted by Cam W. on March 17, 2000, at 7:37:38
In reply to Sleep Sex Inquiry from Another Forum, posted by Tom Forman, CBS News on March 17, 2000, at 4:27:15
Tom - It's not often that we can get a major player in the media industry within our grasp. May I make a suggestion for a segment. How about a piece showing the media's sensationalization towards the stigma of psychiatric illness. For too many years people with mental afflictions have been ridiculed, taunted, and blamed for the most violent acts that occur in our society. For instance, "Ted Kazynski (sp?) did the things he did because he is paranoid schizophrenic." No, Ted did those things because he was a man who had a disorder and he was not being treated for it. People with mental disorders are portrayed in the media (even your network) as being extremely violent. Research has shown that these people are more of a danger to themselves, than they are to other people (especially strangers). Please show that media is usually wrong in the portrayal of the mentally ill in our society (especially before Fox does a special like "When Mental Patients Attack!"). One in four to one in five people will, at some point in their lives, have a mental disorder that will require professional treatment. (1 in 3 if you include substance abuse). Please read at least the opening chapters of the Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health. Thank you for your time. - Cam W.
poster:Cam W.
thread:27311
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000312/msgs/27320.html