
Mental Illness
This section aims to clarify much of those misunderstandings and guide journalists in their coverage of severe and enduring mental illnesses.
Advice for reporting on mental illness

Mental Illness Quick Reference Guide
Stigma & Mental Illness
While there is more understanding around mental health difficulties like depression and anxiety, conditions such as Bipolar, Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective disorder, personality disorder or OCD remain misunderstood and are heavily stigmatised.
This has led to mental illness being associated with derogatory language like ‘Schizo’ or ‘Psycho’ and has created an understanding that mental illness is something to be feared.
It is necessary to confront biased social attitudes in order to reduce the discrimination of people who are living with mental illnesses.


116 123 (available 24/7)
Aware (depression and bipolar)
1800 80 48 48 or supportmail@aware.ie
Shine (Supporting those with mental illness)
phil@shine.ie
Grow – 1890 474 474
www.grow.ie
The Samaritans
116 123 (available 24/7)
Aware (depression and bipolar)
1800 80 48 48 or supportmail@aware.ie
Shine (Supporting those with mental illness)
phil@shine.ie
Grow – 1890 474 474
www.grow.ie