1. Question: What do you know about schizophrenia? How
much of this is from films that you have seen?

2. Today…
Analyse the Apply theories
representations of and concepts of
mental health in the representation
media to analysis.
MS1: Representations of
Why?
Issues: Mental Health
AO2: Apply knowledge & understanding when
analysing media products and processes to show
how meaning is created.
In a nutshell: Exam practice! Representations will
be a question in the exam – it could be issues!

3. How do these texts
reinforce or challenge
what you know about it?
What do they not tell us about schizophrenia?

4. Perception from media Reality
Split or multiple personalities is
Implies split personalities not a symptom of Schizophrenia –
it’s a completely different
condition, and even then there’s
The split personalities are nothing to suggest that these
extreme in nature – Jekyll & Hyde would juxtapose each other.
People with severe mental
Madness, violence, aggression illnesses are more likely to harm
‘psychotic’ behaviour themselves than others.
With the correct medication and
Incurable and uncontrollable support many people that have
severe mental illness can
overcome their condition.
Outcast in society – people that
should be feared (or alternatively Despite living in more liberal
it can be seen as something to be times, severe mental illnesses can
mocked or made light of) be very isolating & many sufferers
commit suicide

5. In pairs discuss films you can think of which associate
mental illness with violence, aggression and as something
to be feared...
These representations often Stereotype mental illness...
...what two characteristics have we previously suggested
make up a stereotype?
1. Appearance (including accent)
2. Behaviour - what people do

6. The Dark Knight – The Joker
Batman describes The Joker as a: “Schizophrenic clown”, experts
in psychiatric care and mental health describe him as an:
“Incorrect stereotype”.
How does the Joker reinforce stereotypes of mental illness based on:
3. Appearance
4. Behaviour

7. Pi – A balanced representation?
Darren Aranofsky’s first movie looks at a
brilliant mathematician called Max Cohen
and his descent into madness as he
obsessively attempts to discover numerical
patterns which will allow him to
understand the world around him.
The representation of Max’s decline in
mental health is interesting in the way that
the audience is positioned by the director.
Rather than looking at what happens in
each scene concentrate on how technical
codes have been used to represent Max’s
illness.
• Sound
• Camera
• Editing

8. Analyse the different ways in which the director has positioned the
audience to represent the mental health of this character.
Is it a positive or negative representation? Does it matter?

9. Sound Framing Editing

10. The exam question.
If representation of issues comes up, the question may look
something like this...
With reference to your own detailed examples, explore
the ways in which two different issues are represented in
the media today?
[30]
This week and in your revision booklet we will be exploring both
the issue of Mental Health and Asylum Seekers.
If Representation of Issues does come up then you can use any
two issues you have researched and can analyse...
...this includes the ones we will be discussing this week...
...you just have to be sure that you have examples from different
types of media.

11. Mental Health in Film
With reference to your own detailed examples, explore
the ways in which two different issues are represented in
the media today?
[30]
Write the opening two paragraphs of an answer to this
question based on the issue of Mental Health and using
examples from film.
Success Checklist...
•Are you being specific about your examples?
•Are you discussing stereotypes?
•Are you discussing typical and challenging representations?
•Have you analysed a range of different codes rather than
just things that happen in the narrative?
• Have you made a point/argument?

12. How does the following sequence use stereotypes of mental illness?
In what ways can this be considered to be a negative stereotype?
Does it matter?

13. Balanced or Stereotypical?
Corrie has recently featured a storyline which represents the sensitive
issue of Alzheimer’s – read the article, then watch the sequence...
How has the illness been represented? Is the article correct?
Now look at the responses to the article...
Which are preferred, negotiated or oppositional?

14. What are the ideologies of The Sun surrounding mental illness?
“Last night she was facing the axe from the
series after a Sun investigation revealed she
had been diagnosed with serious mental
issues - but had not informed show bosses.
Psychiatrists have declared she has a series
of problems which may affect her ability to
care for Mariah. And experts fear she may
worsen if propelled to fame by The X Factor.
A medical source said: "Shirlena is as fragile
as Susan Boyle was - but the difference is
that Susan didn't have a child to worry
about.
"We believe this woman is not a suitable
candidate for a reality show that can cause
immense stress and instant fame.
"Hopefully the makers will agree that the
best thing for Shirlena and her child is to
gently drop them from filming and let us
help her be the best mother she can."
Analyse the language used The source added: "Sadly Shirlena is not in
the best of health. She has been described
as well as the images. by expert professionals as a 'ticking
timebomb'.”

15. Analyse the four representations of mental health from the
same story. Make sure you look at pictures as well as words?
Hint: Some elements are more subtle than others.
Are some representations more
‘sympathetic’ than others?

16. Mediation? How have the texts been mediated?
What processes has the issue of
mental health been through?
• Selection
• Organisation
• Focus

17. What next?
You should now be able to write in depth and with many
different examples about how this issue has been represented.
Here’s what the question might look like...
With reference to your own detailed examples, explore
the ways in which two different issues are represented in
the media today?
[30]
Success Checklist...
•Are you being specific about your examples?
•Are you discussing theories such as Mediation & Stereotyping?
•Are you discussing typical and challenging representations?
•Have you analysed a range of different codes rather than just
things that happen in the narrative?
• Have you made a point/argument?

20. http://tabloid-
watch.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/overly-
optimistic.html
http://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/
fs/mindovermatter_summary.pdf
http://enemiesofreason.co.uk/2010/08/23/is
-zany-the-new-bonkers/
http://www.mentalhealthstigma.com/cinem
ania/alongcameaspider.html
http://www.dementia.co.uk/news/coronation-
street-storyline-on-alzheimers-its-truth-fact-
and-fiction-time/