Abstract
BACKGROUND: Public often obtains mental health information from mass media and Saudi Arabia is characterized by high media penetration. Fictional and nonfictional media dramatize, trivialize, and misrepresent characteristics and needs of clients who need mental health care and may create and reinforce existing stigma. This pattern of stigma may adversely affect mental health care clients, practitioners, education, and programs. Portrayal of mental illness and opportunities for care in Saudi Arabia need development. OBJECTIVE: This study examined Saudi graduate nurses' perceptions of stigma created by mass media and influence on public perceptions of mental health issues and use of these views to formulate ways to effect changes in mental health care availability and delivery. METHOD: Participants included 18 graduate practicing female mental health nurses at King Saud University School of Nursing. Qualitative data were collected using individual interviews and analyzed using NVivo 10.1 software for thematic content analysis. RESULTS: The core theme that emerged was "stigma in media," which in turn had five subthemes: (a) media portrayal, (b) mass media, (c) social stigma, and (d) mental health care services. CONCLUSION: This inquiry may be helpful in enabling development of stigma-reduction programs by shedding light on the role of mass media in forming normative behavior and attitudes toward mental illness in Saudi culture.