REVEALING MYTHS OF MENTAL ILLNESS

MEDIA AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM ARE BIGGEST SOURCES OF MISUNDERSTANDING SAYS PROFESSOR

     News media unintentionally perpetuate myths of those with mental illness as being dangerous or criminal, believes Ferrum College Assistant Professor of Psychology Dr. Kevin P. Reilly, but he does not see the legal system’s culpability in reinforcing stereotypes to be as benign. Reilly will address these and other issues on why and how people misunderstand those who must live with mental illness. To help bring awareness to the subject, Reilly will offer a second course on psychological disorders this spring, starting March 18 (FORMERLY March 11) at the Franklin County Workforce Development Consortium in Rocky Mount.

     When a news medium reports on a crime perpetrated by someone with mental illness, Reilly says they are reporting on an exception that has sensationalistic appeal. Most crimes are not committed by those with mental illness, he says. Yet the public easily associates various types of misconduct with mental illness because of the images and stories shared by the media.

     The myth is exacerbated by the legal system’s occasional plea of criminal insanity as a form of defense, Reilly states. Reilly believes this type of defense often creates backlash for those who suffer from psychological disorders.

     Reilly’s course, titled “Understanding Mental Illness,” will focus on depression, personality disorders, and other types of mental illness and will be held at the Workforce Development Consortium offices (across from Franklin County High School) at 70 Wray Street, Rocky Mount, VA, each Tuesday, 3/18, 3/25, 4/1, 4/8 and 4/15, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The course is $85. Participants who also took his first course may take both for $150. Course materials are provided.

     The goal of the course is to increase people's understanding of various kinds of mental illness. The first class will cover the various stereotypes of the mentally ill (e.g., that they are dangerous or criminal), and how these stereotypes are fostered. Other classes will cover various kinds of mental illness, with a focus on depression and personality disorders, as these problems are more common in the general population.

     Registration will take place at the first class of the course. For more information on the course, please contact Dr. Reilly at (540) 365-4407 or at kpreilly@ferrum.edu

     A Ph.D. in Social Cognition, with a focus in Clinical Psychology, Reilly’s professional focus has been on mental illness and psychopathology. He joined the Ferrum College faculty in 2002.

     Ferrum College is a four-year, private, co-educational, liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. For more information on Ferrum, visit www.ferrum.edu. # # #