More than 140 million people in India are living with mental health conditions, but nearly eight out of ten do not receive the treatment and support they require. Alongside the shortage of accessible mental healthcare, the way mental health issues are presented in the media has emerged as another major concern. Sensational headlines, misleading narratives and a lack of sensitivity in reporting can deepen social stigma and discourage people from seeking help.

These issues were highlighted during a recent roundtable organised by UNICEF India on mental health and responsible media reporting. The discussion focused on the need for greater public awareness, accurate journalism and consistent adherence to established reporting guidelines to ensure that mental health concerns are covered responsibly.

UNICEF Raises Concerns Over Irresponsible Mental Health Reporting

A qualitative media-monitoring exercise presented by UNICEF India during the roundtable revealed that although India has established guidelines for reporting suicide, awareness and implementation of these recommendations remain limited.

The findings also highlighted concerns about the inconsistent application of reporting standards, particularly when covering mental health conditions. Inaccurate information, sensational presentation and stigmatising language can influence public perceptions and create additional barriers for people seeking support.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), more than 1.7 lakh people died by suicide in India in 2024. The figures included 14,488 students and 11,184 children below the age of 18, underlining the seriousness of the issue.

Media Has an Important Role in Reducing Mental Health Stigma

Jesper Moller, UNICEF Deputy Representative (Programmes), who chaired the roundtable, emphasised that the media has an important responsibility in encouraging a more supportive public conversation around mental wellbeing.

He said reducing stigma requires open discussions that promote understanding and trust. According to him, responsible media coverage can help create supportive environments, minimise discrimination and encourage people to seek appropriate mental healthcare.

Study Highlights Major Gaps in Suicide Reporting

Tanya Fernandes from the Pune-based Centre for Mental Health and Policy discussed Project SIREN (Suicide Reporting Watch India), launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2020.

The initiative monitors the quality of suicide-related reporting across print and digital publications. Its assessment examined English-language media coverage against World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and developed positive and negative scorecards to evaluate reporting practices.

The study covered:

Fernandes highlighted several recurring violations in the coverage examined:

The study also identified some positive reporting practices. Around 49% of the reports verified information and facts through official sources, while 26% provided updated and operational information that readers could use.

Despite these findings, India continues to have limited research examining how the media covers mental health conditions beyond suicide-related reporting.

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Labelling People by Their Mental Health Conditions Adds to Stigma

Sonia Sarkar of UNICEF highlighted another concerning trend in media coverage: identifying individuals primarily through their mental health diagnoses rather than recognising them as people.

She explained that individuals living with conditions such as schizophrenia are sometimes described using derogatory terms like "psycho". Similarly, expressions such as "so OCD" are casually used to describe everyday behaviour, contributing to misunderstandings about mental health disorders.

She also pointed out that media representations frequently associate mental illness with darkness and negativity, while giving insufficient attention to treatment, recovery and available support systems.

Such portrayals can leave readers with the impression that mental health conditions are permanent and that recovery is not possible.

UNICEF Calls for Responsible Suicide Reporting

Zafrin Chowdhury, UNICEF Chief of Communication, stressed that responsible suicide reporting must avoid sensationalism and speculation.

She identified several important practices journalists should follow:

Chowdhury said UNICEF aims to encourage responsible journalism that improves public understanding, strengthens social support for mental health and helps eliminate stigma.

Study Finds Media Coverage Can Influence Suicide Risk

The potential impact of media reporting on suicide has also been highlighted by research.

A 2020 study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) found that extensive media coverage of a well-known personality was associated with a 13% increase in suicide risk.

The research also reported a 30% rise in deaths involving the same method when the method of suicide was included in media coverage.

These findings reinforce the importance of following established reporting guidelines and avoiding unnecessary details that could influence vulnerable individuals.

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Responsible Journalism Is Essential for Better Mental Health Awareness

With more than 140 million Indians experiencing mental health conditions and nearly 80% lacking access to appropriate care, improving mental health awareness has become increasingly important.

The discussions at the UNICEF India roundtable highlighted that addressing this challenge requires more than expanding healthcare services. Accurate information, responsible journalism, public education and the removal of harmful stereotypes are equally important.

By adopting ethical reporting practices and focusing on awareness, treatment and recovery, the media can contribute to a more understanding society where people feel encouraged to seek help without fear of discrimination or judgement.