When What You See Isn’t What You Get: Mental Health In The Media
Written by: Jennifer Voorhaar, LCSW-C
I graduated from college with my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology in December of 1999. That same year, in September, CBS debuted a show called “Judging Amy”. This show featured Amy Brenneman as “Judge Amy Gray” who moved, with her young daughter, back home to her mother’s. Her mother, Maxine, was a caseworker for the local, as we know it, Department of Social Services. Every Tuesday night at 10 pm, my mom watched this show. As an adult and mom now myself, I cannot imagine starting a show at 10 pm! That’s bed time!
What I also remember about this show was that Maxine, being a “social worker” as the media portrayed her, was the source of concern for my mom when I told her I was going to go to school to be a social worker. You see, Maxine was known to report to a home where there was a suspected case of abuse and neglect but rather than placing the child in a foster home, she would bring the child home for the weekend. Or, instead of taking a substance addicted mom to a rehab, she would bring her home to “sleep it off”. None of these are real life examples of what I did in my early years at the local Department of Social Services. But, because CBS showed it, my mom was quite concerned that she’d have extra house guests.
Throughout my career and especially after I became a therapist, I’ve had people reference various media portrayals of therapists, counselors, social workers, etc. Sometimes it is news media and real life situations that prompt the conversation. I’d say a very extreme example of what we do not do is portrayed in the 1991 film “Silence of the Lambs”. While this is a favorite movie of mine, even prompting my desire to enter the forensics field, long story short, Hannibal Lecter is NOT a good, healthy example of a psychiatrist. Too extreme? What about the TV drama “How I Met Your Mother” which included a brief therapeutic relationship that resulted in the therapist dating her client. Haven’t seen it? Me either? So, what about the infamous Dr. Phil? While his early years on the Oprah show depicted him helping and intervening in a professional and ethical way, his later years were quite different. Did you know that he hasn’t been a licensed psychologist since 2006 but gave “therapeutic” guidance to families from 2002 to 2023. Would you ever go to a therapist in your local community who was unlicensed to practice? I don’t think so. So, then why do we give so much merit to what we see on TV?
Still not convinced? What about all of the “influencers” online who are providing free advice, guidance, plans, “coaching” and the like. And then go so far as to ask you to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars for their tried and true plan, program or whatever they call it. We trust these folks as we doom scroll? We believe everything we see on TV, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok from the influencers to those with opinions about real life events happening in the new media.
I’m getting a little emotional about this as I write for two reasons:
We live in a world where we believe whatever we see - even if it is wrong. Truly! I could write a blog or post on our socials about how you can improve your anxiety by eating green Skittles and there would be a shortage of Skittles. So, Skittles are tasty (don’t tell our nutritionist) but please don’t count on the little green ones to reduce your anxiety. You might, just might, feel better after eating a few. But, is it the green skittle or is it the few moments you spend breathing slowly while you chew or the satisfaction of buying yourself a treat or even the few minutes you sneak the treat in the car before going inside the house after work.
We live in a world where people want to make fast money even if it is at the expense of others mental health and well being. I have nothing against influencers, truly I don’t. But, these individuals are PAID to show you the best of the best. Their worst day, or habits that don’t work or failed attempts at something aren’t shared. It’s just the best. And, when we are feeling down, anxious, at the end of our rope, we will reach for anything that looks good and sounds good; even if it means we pay money, waste time and get no results.
The online or televised “world” we live in is filled to the brim and often overflowing, with inaccurate, exaggerated and often sensationalized depictions of helpers - social workers, therapists, psychiatrists, even teachers, police officers and doctors. It is everywhere: TV, movies, news programming, social media, you name it. It is overflowing - boiling over!
So what do we do about it?
For starters, put your phone down, turn off the TV and engage with those around you.
If you have questions about a case in the news, consider the source(s). Remember there are 3 sides to every story (sometimes more) - his story, her story, and the truth, which usually lies somewhere in the middle.
Interested to know new techniques for combating anxiety, jump on a reputable website (cough, cough, wink, wink - we have lots of great, FREE resources).
Always, always, ALWAYS do your own research and ask your own questions.
Is this show put on TV for my entertainment? Take it all with a grain of salt. Laugh and enjoy. Or better yet, change the channel.
Is this channel trying to show their political, religious or other slant on this case or situation? Or better yet, is it being clipped together so the person says what they want us to hear rather than the actual sentence that came out of their mouth in response to the question?
Is this media causing more stress, anger, anxiety, depression, worry (fill in the blank of intense emotions)? Step away, turn it off, disregard and seek the support and encouragement of those who love us and support us and care about US rather than the ratings.