I feel that the primary reason that there is a stigma against mental illness is because of the way it is portrayed in the media. People believe what they see on TV or read on the internet. Especially in regards to things that they have no experience with. I am not blaming the consumers here. I’d love it if everyone would go get themselves educated on what mental illness really is, but that isn’t going to happen and really doesn’t need to. I am, however, blaming the media, in part. I don’t feel that the media is completely responsible for shaping popular opinions. TV shows and movies are about telling a good story and that often has nothing to do with reality. It is not the media’s responsibility to make sure that people don’t believe in vampires, were wolves and unicorns. In the same way, it is not their responsibility to make sure people don’t believe that mental illness is a synonym with violence or helplessness.