Part II: Psychiatrists as Healers, Teachers, Leaders, and Influencers

In the last issue, I introduced you to my young colleague, Dr. Vasilis Pozios, who joins me again in this issue to continue the discussion of psychiatrists as more than healers and educators—we must also be “influencers” if we are to fully realize the “stigma-free and care-accessible” world that we envision and advocate for. Essential to being a psychiatric influencer is the ability to effectively communicate so that public perceptions of psychiatry and people with mental illnesses evolve in a positive direction.

Anthropologist Edward T. Hall wrote, “Culture is communication and communication is culture.” Culture—especially popular culture—is mediated more than ever by the entertainment industry, news media, and social media. Eliminating mental health stigma and raising the profile of organized psychiatry can occur only if psychiatrists engage in popular culture and directly interface with the entertainment industry, news media, and social media. However, how do we psychiatrists accomplish this goal, which is for many of us very far removed from our training foundation? Dr. Pozios recommends that, as a start, we create a multi-step action plan to begin making this significant paradigm shift in the profession’s approach to becoming “influencers”:

• Work for the removal of barriers that prevent psychiatrists from more effectively interfacing with the entertainment industry, news media, and social media: Broadly, these barriers include apprehension due to inadequate media-related skills and training, failure to recognize the importance of working with the media, and prejudice of proposed efforts due to some unprofessional “talking heads” who are currently in the media. This article is part of that effort. The APA Annual Meeting and other academic conferences can play a significant role in moving the needle in this area by including media-related topics in continuing education programs. APA publications, including journals and textbooks, should likewise prioritize such topics.

• Interact directly with the news media and entertainment industry: We need to create curricula and workshops to proactively educate journalists, writers, producers, and directors about the portrayal of matters related to mental health that are accurate and less stigmatizing. To do so, APA should not hesitate to utilize the services of members who have expertise in this area.

• Use APA’s high-profile power and its resources: The unparalleled depth and breadth of experience of our membership positions APA to become the leader in the mental health and media area. Our 38,000 members should feel capable and equipped to work in this space, educating the media and the community if they so choose.

• Encourage collaboration and reinforcement of the above with subspecialty psychiatry and key stakeholder organizations: These include patient advocacy organizations and relevant corporate sponsors to further extend and reinforce our efforts.

Consider funding fellowships to embed residents, fellows, and early career psychiatrists in the entertainment industry and news media: The resulting relationships will foster an ongoing collaboration between APA and media and entertainment outlets.

Some might say these objectives are beyond APA’s scope; however, as discussed in the last issue, APA’s ethical principles remind us of our responsibility to advance mental health through education of the public. And it is in large part the media that drives the public’s perception of mental illness and psychiatrists. Being active at this interface will allow us to reduce stigma and influence legislative policy, funding, judicial actions, and the general public ethos surrounding mental illness and mental health.

As psychiatrists, we cannot remain insular and inward looking if we want to be influencers and in the forefront of the public’s mind on matters related to mental illness and its treatment. Let’s begin to face outward for the overall good of society, our patients, and the profession! ■