Comments on: Taking a stigmatizing step back with Chuck

By: Renee

Renee — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 01:47:54 +0000

Stigma is one of the major reasons people refuse to admit to mental illness. And because of this lack of acknowledgment they are discriminated against on every level, socially, medically, and with employment!

By: SJ McKinley

SJ McKinley — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 05:30:26 +0000

I had a client who needed, for safety, to be admitted to a local psychiatric hospital. Having ONLY watched TV, this person was terrified. They asked if they could bring their own food because they could not eat “prison food.” I don’t know what the numbers are , but in our state the ones like depicted on Chuck have all been closed, so you get a reasonable private or semi-private carpeted room with a moderately nice family room. It’s not Menningers, but it is not a terrifying place where the patient will be victimized.

Are there any stats on the number of “insane asylums” still open?

By: Kat

Kat — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 03:55:05 +0000

Though I am not a big TV fan and have never seen the show you spoke of, I tend to agree with your assessment of how Hollywood chooses to depict mental hospitals. I believe that this depiction causes the general public to be fearful of seeking needed help at a quality facility like Menninger. A more reasonable depiction would ease some fears helping someone in need get assistance.

By: ocie stewart

ocie stewart — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 04:46:26 +0000

Chuck works at an Buy More not Best Buys, thanks

By: Teresa

Teresa — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 02:54:02 +0000

It often amazes me that in a culture where being politically correct is so important, there is still so much stigma associated with mental illness. The creators of Chuck could have easily made the hospital scene more true to modern hospitals. You have stations like CBS using their influence to help minimize the stigma, while NBC seems to be ignorant to it. CBS =1, NBC =0.

By: Hayley

Hayley — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 02:51:18 +0000

Even though Chuck has some impossible parts in the story line, overall it is supposed to be realistic. So, I agree the creators should have done a better job of making the hospital more realistic.

By: Hillary Huddleston

Hillary Huddleston — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 00:38:24 +0000

While I am not familiar with the show, “Chuck” and admittedly lack the bandwidth to the watch the clip you included, I think the unfortunate reality is that not all psychiatric hospitals remotely resemble Menninger. I agree that Hollywood could use some stigma-busting assistance in general, but I thought “House” for example was actually a reasonable depiction of what other facilities can be like – at least acute care facilities. The mix of patients and diagnoses, the limitations of staff, the lack of security (ease of leaving to the detriment of patients whether voluntary or involuntary) are a reality in acute care. I appreciate your taking the time to share this and agree that stigma hurts. It is difficult to phrase this response without taking away from your excellent points. Sadly, however, the green walls and scrub clad patients are a reflection of the realistic state of mental health hospitals in many areas. Without mental health insurance parity or parity in mental health care in general, too many who are not blessed enough to access Menninger find themselves in this stereotypical institutional environment. That was my experience in what had been an option-lacking acute care approach to my own mental health. The lack of access, affordability, quality and continuity in care perpetuates both illness and stigma. I am ever grateful for the care I received and self I gained at Menninger. Unfortunately, the clean, colorful, friendly environment and importantly, the high quality and sustainable treatment Menninger provides is something too few people experience. Stigma maybe more effectively combated when more people speak out and demand high quality mental health care for ourselves, our families, our communities. Sounds like “Chuck” certainly isn’t helping and thank you, again, for advocating for mental health and accurate depictions of treatment. Maybe for stereotypes to change, we need to not only “bust stigma” but simultaneously work on changing the system. Untreated and undertreated mental illness can only perpetuate stigma not to mention the tragic consequences the lack of treatment has on the individuals and their loved ones. I’m open to ideas on how to work for systemic change. The work in part helps insure I keep my mind with me – outside of green walls

By: Walker

Walker — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 23:10:13 +0000

Seriously, man. Give Family Guy a try. You are smart enough to enjoy it for what it is: crude, disposable humor. It’s not there to make a point. It’s there to make you laugh. That’s it.

Also, I’ve been meaning to catch Justified, but it hasn’t made it into the DVR.