Perceptions regarding Persons with a Psychiatric Diagnosis
Perceptions regarding Persons with a Psychiatric Diagnosis

Summary/Abstract: Studies demonstrate that our perceptions and attitudes towards persons with a psychiatric diagnosis are influenced and shaped according to the way mass-media deal with subjects related to mental diseases. In the Republic of Moldova, the perceptions towards persons mentally ill are mainly reduced to stereotypes and prejudices, a fact which leads to the existence of a rather significant social distance towards such persons. In the present article, we will review the material published in mass media in the Republic of Moldova, and we will try to find out the promoted stereotypes and how they correlate with the perceptions present in society towards mental diseases. Finally, we will analyze several statistic data from the Ministry of Interior regarding the criminal offenses committed by persons under psychiatric evidence in order to change the false image "of being a criminal," cast upon a person with a psychiatric diagnosis as it is publicized in the press.

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