People with mental health problems can be confronted by stigma and discrimination just about anywhere; on public transport, in employment, out shopping, at home, at the doctor or in the community.

Wherever stigma exists, ‘see me’ doesn’t just want to hear about it, we want to work with you to tackle it and change attitudes.

Media Coverage

In particular, we want to make sure that media portrayal of people with mental health problems is balanced, accurate and fair. The media have a central role in shaping the general public’s opinions on major social issues. Stigma Stop Watch aims to make media professionals think carefully about how they deal with issues related to mental ill-health. Stigma Stop Watch covers all kinds of media, from newspapers and television news to documentaries, dramas, films and advertising.

The Press Complaints Commission’s code of practice states that:

“The press should avoid prejudicial or pejorative reference to a person’s race, colour, religion, sex or sexual orientation or to any physical or mental illness or disability.”

NUJ Code of Practice 1998 states:

“A journalist shall only mention a person's age, race, colour, creed, illegitimacy, disability, marital status, gender or sexual orientation if this information is strictly relevant. A journalist shall neither originate nor process material which encourages discrimination, ridicule, prejudice or hatred on any of the above-mentioned grounds.”

Broadly, this means that words like 'psycho' and 'schizo' should not be used, and reporting should be accurate, not sensational. 'see me' is not aiming to take on the role of language police. Where some words have become integrated into the language, and are used in a conversational way, we would not seek action.

Recourse under these rules, especially to the Press Complaints Commission can only be taken in certain circumstances, details of which can be found at www.howtocomplain.com.

Other Kinds of Stigmatising Experience

Whilst a great deal of what you see and find stigmatising is likely to be in the media, there are times when you might feel particularly stigmatised by a company, a service, a shop or a venue…or indeed in any situation. In that case, we want to know about it too.