Speaking of women's ‘nameless misery’: The everyday construction of depression in Australian women's magazines

Abstract

In this article we examine the tensions between current Australian depression policy directions and lay beliefs about depression as constructed and circulated through popular media at a time when mental health education discourses are also promoting 'depression literacy' [Parslow & Jorm, 2002. Medical Journal of Australia, 177(7), 117-121]. Drawing upon research into articles on depression published in two women's magazines before and after the promulgation of the National Action Plan for Depression [Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care, 2000. National action plan for depression. Canberra: Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care-Mental Health and Special Programs Branch] we identify the cultural context of certain lay beliefs about depression as articulated through personal and celebrity stories, advice columns and resource links. The depression literacy literature privileges biomedical and psychological expertise in explaining depression and promoting help-seeking behaviour. In contrast, the magazine discourses foreground an individualising discourse of depression as a problem of self-management while also referring to biomedical expertise. They emphasise women's abilities to manage difficult life events and to build informal supportive relationships, which reinforces dominant notions of feminine identity as concerned with balancing competing gender demands. We critique the national policy on depression literacy as taking insufficient account of women's belief structures, which leads, for example, to a limited analysis of stigma. We also critique policy for not engaging sufficiently with the gendered nature of depression and its relation to social inequities, something the magazines replicate.

The portrayal of mental health in Australian daily newspapers

“…Also in line with previous research, articles encouraging self-help were predominantly targeted at females. 13 Although the majority of articles did not explicitly include references to additional support or information as recommended by the Mindframe Resource, much of the sample still provided information implicitly through suggesting that people contact their doctor for further advice, or naming specific services within articles that readers could follow up.…”

“…newspaper editors and journalists were unaware of the investigation), thus enhancing replicability. 24 [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] we collected hard copies. This allowed material to be easily revisited and enabled the sample to be analysed in its original form, as it was intended to be consumed by its intended audience.…”

“…Multiple studies exist of the media's portrayal of mental health; however, studies of the media's portrayal of wellbeing in addition to illness appears to have been overlooked. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] Examining the media's portrayal of this pertinent issue is important, given much of society's knowledge and understanding about public health issues stems from interactions with, and consumption of, the news media -particularly where individuals lack first-hand experience. 16 The media has the capacity to promote helpseeking behaviour and construct positive representations of health issues, or to foster negative and stigmatising ideas.…”

“…1 Indeed, anxiety disorders appear to have been overlooked by previous research; however, mood disorders are reasonably well represented by literature into depression. 13,14 Such studies have reported that articles intended for female readers tend to strongly emphasise self-help and self-management of depression, whereby personal responsibility is encouraged over medical intervention. 13 In contrast, articles aimed at males depict depression as a biological illness with physical symptoms posing a threat to masculinity, with little information on prevention or support.…”

“…13,14 Such studies have reported that articles intended for female readers tend to strongly emphasise self-help and self-management of depression, whereby personal responsibility is encouraged over medical intervention. 13 In contrast, articles aimed at males depict depression as a biological illness with physical symptoms posing a threat to masculinity, with little information on prevention or support. 14 The most extensive research into the portrayal of mental health was undertaken as part of The Media Monitoring Project, a federally commissioned investigation into the portrayal of suicide, mental health and illness in the Australian media.…”