Insensitivity, in a theatre near you

The young man on the phone sounded very angry, 8220;Have you seen the promos of the film, Woh Lamhe? It is so typical. Demented, delusional8230; And here we are trying so hard to live a normal life!8221; I knew he had been struggling with schizophrenia for several years but I could understand his anguish only when I switched on the television and saw the promos and interviews with the filmmakers. The film is purportedly about a late actress who struggled with schizophrenia. The promotional campaign depicts a person with schizophrenia in a stereotyped manner, conveying a message of hopelessness to all those who struggle with such disabling mental illnesses.

Schizophrenia is an incurable brain illness, treatable with medication and therapy combined with support from family, friends and community. Most people perceive people with schizophrenia as wild, inhuman creatures with matted hair, being dragged off for shock therapy 8212; as people who have no future. Those who have dealt with this illness will tell you, however, that when a person has a breakdown, they may look like their film portraits 8212; haggard, with dark circles around eyes and an uncomprehending expression. But at all other times those living with schizophrenia may be well-groomed and articulate. With medication, therapy, a conducive living environment, modifications in diet and exercise, schizophrenics can have meaningful relationships, hold part-time jobs.

The government has chosen to stay silent and not countered the myth and misinformation through public health education campaigns, one of the objectives of the National Mental Health Programme of 1982. It offered only lip service when chained people with mental illness were charred to death in Erawady recently.

There are more than 65 million Indians with mental illnesses like depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia. Films have helped in creating awareness on tuberculosis, leprosy, cancer and AIDS. However, people suffering from mental illnesses continue to be portrayed in an outrageously stereotyped manner in the media. Is it ignorance on the part of those who make such films and TV serials? Or the irresistible urge to attract viewers by sensationalising the affliction?

The writer works with Torchbearers, an advocacy group for the mentally ill