A South African Olympic silver medallist achieved something remarkable, especially after testing positive for methamphetamine use in 2012. But care needs to be taken in how this narrative is framed.
In attempting to avoid labelling killers as terrorists, some have shifted focus to their mental health issues.
KARL-JOSEF HILDENBRAND/EPA/DPA
Efforts to avoid stigmatising people from Muslim backgrounds seem to be coming at the unexpected cost of adding stigma to those with mental health issues.
The Orlando massacre is an extreme example of the public health crisis of anti-LGBT violence in America.
Jim Young/Reuters
Aggression against sexual minorities is rooted in society-level stigmas that devalue LGBT individuals.
Isolating a child from their peers does nothing to address the underlying concerns that may have lead to a child behaving in this way.
from www.shutterstock.com
The cultures of silence and denial that surround child sexualised behaviours mean that adults often lack the information they need to respond appropriately.
Police officers in South Africa are four times more likely to kill themselves than be murdered.
Reuters/Dylan Martinez
While the unacceptably high rate of police murders in South Africa attracts much media coverage, the bigger problem of suicide among police receives little focus.
Charlie Sheen revealed he is HIV positive and has spent millions paying people to keep quiet. Why?
Reuterspics/Mike Segar
The Americans with Disabilities Act turned 25 on July 26. Some of the changes that it ushered in are reflected every day on our campuses, through technologies that allow people to learn and to work.
Early HIV treatment is a win-win strategy.
David Smart/Shutterstock
Starting HIV treatment early, before immune damage occurs, brings real clinical benefits, a new study has shown.
Some fathers with mental illness feel discriminated against for their – perceived or actual – inability to meet the traditional paternal responsibilities of provider, protector and role-model.
momento mori/Flickr
Where there is mental illness, there’s almost invariably social disapproval and discrimination. And a report released by the Australian Institute of Family Studies today shows fathers with mental illness…
When you have such a big stage, use it well.
Rocor
On a recent Halloween special of the X Factor, contestant Lola Saunders sang Crazy by Gnarls Barkley. When the song came under fire from Simon Cowell for not being Halloween enough, Saunders’ mentor, Cheryl…
While The Shock of the Fall, Nathan Filer’s recent Costa book winner, portrayed a system in which mental health staff spend too much time talking to other professionals rather than to patients, a report…
Manhunt 2: criticised for its irresponsible portrayal of mental illness.
Rockstar
Recent events, such as inaccurate claims made by The Sun newspaper about the number of murders committed by the mentally ill, have shown us once again that the media has a large part to play in social…
By suggesting that everyone who has a mental illness could possibly be violent, the articles isolate, highlight and stigmatise them.
Михал Орела/Flickr
Just when we thought we were heading for a more tolerant and accepting attitude toward people afflicted by mental illness, a feature and a news article in Saturday’s The Australian quoting leaders in the…
Jessica L. Browne, Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes e Jane Speight, Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes
For anyone having doubts about overweight or obese people feeling blamed and shamed, the comments on a recent article about a positive image library should settle the matter. They clearly illustrate the…
Associate Professor, Public Health & Social Policy; Special Advisor Health Research, Office of the Vice-President Research and Innovation, University of Victoria
Interim Director, UWA Public Policy Institute; Associate Professor & Programme Co-ordinator (Masters of Public Policy), The University of Western Australia