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Stigma SpottersSTIGMA SPOTTERS
Call For: MISSOURI STIGMA SPOTTERS
Thank you for considering becoming a “STIGMA SPOTTER!” With your
help, the State Advisory Council (SAC) for the Division of
Comprehensive Psychiatric Services and the Governor’s Suicide
Prevention Advisory Committee (SPAC) will be able to promote and
reward positive and informative media content and discourage
stigmatizing an inaccurate content. It is an opportunity to
educate journalists and marketing professionals on the accepted
standards for coverage.
Your task as a STIGMA SPOTTER is to pay attention to media that you
would ordinarily see, hear, or read within your community (TV, Radio,
and Print, including local newspapers, magazines, bulletins, online
content, advertising and school publications) for both inaccurate,
stigmatizing content and excellence in portraying the issues
surrounding mental illness and suicide. When you come across
something that inspires and educates, or something that offends or
seems inaccurate, you will then provide information about the video,
written material, advertising campaign, or other publicly displayed
story or information to the Department of Mental Health.
Your submission will be forwarded to the SAC to consider for
recognition at the annual Mental Health Awareness Day event each April
or, if the topic is specific to suicide it will be forwarded to the
SPAC for a potential award during National Suicide Prevention Week in
September. Your efforts around the submission will be
acknowledged formally during the events. Information that is
stigmatizing or inaccurate will generate a letter that includes
information about how the media can be part of the solution in
covering these sensitive topics.
WHAT TO DO:
- When you spot something of interest, please note the time and date
(if applicable) and where the item was displayed, published or
broadcast. For example:
- Headline: “People
who participate in XYZ mental health program are getting jobs”
Published in the Kansas City Star on 1/1/09
- “Young man
jumps from bridge” KRCG Jefferson City broadcast date: 2/2/09
- “Halloween Haunted Asylum” sponsored by Sigma Sigma Sigma
Sorority at XYZ College
- The John Doe Show on radio station
ABCD, Polk City. Broadcasted 3/1/09. The host was describing a
homeless person as “a crazy drunk” in a discussion of community
issues.
- Send the information by email to: rita.mcelhany@dmh.mo.gov. Be
sure to put the words “Stigma Spotter” in the subject line. And
provide your contact information in the email. You may
also call her at 573-751-3220 and leave a message with the information
above.
- If you are someone who only watches TV or only
reads the newspaper, please help us identify others in your area who
may be able to monitor the other media. Let them know about this
program and the contribution they can make to ending stigma in
Missouri. The more people who are involved the more effective
this will be.
- If you have any questions, need more
information or have ideas to share about this effort, please feel free
to contact Rita McElhany at rita.mcelhany@dmh.mo.gov
or call 573-751-3220.