Beliefs about mental disorders among media practitioners in southwest Nigeria
Oluwole Lateef Olutoyin, A. O. Akinhanmi
Abstract
Background: The media professionals are a potent and unique factor in conveying messages about mental health that educate the public. It is pertinent to assess beliefs about mental disorders among the media professionals. Objective: The study set out to determine the beliefs about mental disorders among media practitioners in southwest Nigeria. Materials and Method: The World Psychiatric Association questionnaire measuring attitudes toward Schizophrenia was modified and administered to the two study groups. Results: The findings from the results showed only a third of all respondents had contact with either an advert or promotion about mental illness. Respondents ranked environmental factors foremost among causes of mental illness. Majority (80%) of the respondents were of the opinion that the mentally ill are dangerous to the public because of their violent behavior. Conclusion: The study revealed predominance of negative beliefs about mental disorders among media practitioners.