The only cases that spark debate about mental health are when an individual does something criminal or difficult to understand. The media is asking experts to look into the disaster and explain why they caused it. Mental illness is a global problem and is often considered a "hidden epidemic" because it extends to institutions such as prison, schools, the family and the media. Most people with mental illness are afraid to seek treatment, mainly because of the stigma, prejudice and discrimination attached to this label. The label associated with mental illness often leads to depression. Mental illness is largely misunderstood in the United States and is treatable; the following paragraphs reveal the treatment, as well as the causes and effects of stigma on society, poverty, insurance, the education system and the media. In society, there are universal definitions of what it means to be mentally healthy. Mental illness is defined as “all mental disorders characterized by persistent patterns of abnormal thoughts, emotions, or behaviors accompanied by significant distress and/or impairment in daily functioning.” The most commonly diagnosed illnesses are bipolar, impulse control, and anxiety. The ridicule and embarrassment attached to the label prevents people from seeking the treatment they need to overcome the problem. Stereotypes play a role in treatment because they reinforce stigmas. They are twice as likely today as in the 1950s to believe that people with mental illness are violent. (Dingfelder 2009). In fact, the mentally ill are nearly three times more likely to be victims of violence than members of mainstream society. The 'hidden epidemic', if left unaddressed, can lead to many problems by affecting educational outcomes...... middle of paper ...... The main factor in the negative representation of stigma related to mental illness are the media. Media relates to all of the previous paragraphs because it influences stereotypes, discrimination, prejudice, schools, society, employment, and cultural beliefs. Images depicted in video games, the news and television spread isolation, discrimination and fear of the mentally ill in society. These negative labels can prevent individuals from finding treatment and lead them to believe that there is no way to cure. However, more and more public education strategies are being implemented in the media today. “Real Men, Real Depression” is a public campaign and education strategy that includes public service announcements on radio and television. Successful anti-stigma awareness raising not only erases the negative labels of the mentally ill, but also shows that mental illness is misunderstood and that the mentally ill have their place in society..