SPEAKER

Dr. Anna Ross (NHMRC Research Fellow at The University of Melbourne)

Topic

The media is a key source of information about mental illness. However, people living with complex mental illness, such as psychosis and schizophrenia, are most commonly portrayed in relation to violence, which negatively influences public beliefs about dangerousness and unpredictability and increases stigma.

This seminar will give an overview of the research we are undertaking to address media-based stigma. We will explore recent examples of media portrayals of mental illness, and the role we can all play in challenging stigma in the community. You will also be invited to reflect on your experiences of media portrayals of mental illness, both the ‘good’ and ‘not-so-good’.

About the speaker

Dr. Anna Ross is an NHMRC Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne where her research aims to reduce stigma towards people with complex mental illness through improved media reporting. She completed her PhD within the Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health. Anna is leading research collaborations with Everymind’s Mindframe program and SANE Australia’s StigmaWatch program on improving news media representations of people living with complex mental health issues.

Anna’s background is in psychology, where she has completed a Masters of Clinical Psychology and worked clinically in adolescent mental health. She has over 10 years experience in mental health research, with her research focusing on reducing stigma and discrimination towards people with mental illness, development of mental health first aid guidelines and evaluation of courses, and evaluation of suicide prevention programs.

VTMH seminars are open to individuals, from all disciplines and working in all sectors, who are based in Australia and interested in diversity and mental health.  

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