Two news stories over the long holiday weekend made the rounds about the prevalence of mental disorders in Americans and Europeans. Virtually all the news stories I’ve read completely missed important information contained within the actual reports, instead doing more reporting on the news release rather than the research itself.
I previously wrote about the CDC’s report, which contrary to headlines in newspapers such as USA Today, HealthDay, the International Business Times and others, did not report on any new data that “half of Americans will suffer from mental disorders” (data that comes from a 2004 study — 7-year old news anyone?). Approximately 25 percent of Americans may have a mental disorder — as measured by the CDC surveys — in any given year.
The European study was based upon actual research and suggested that today, up to 38 percent of Europeans may be suffering from a mental disorder — a seeming 50 percent increase over Americans. The two datasets are not directly comparable, however, since they used different methodology to arrive at their numbers.
But it appears only a few reporters bothered to read the study before reporting on it, because many simply reported on the European study with little context or understanding of its data.
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Dr. John,
You shared, “Sadly, most American media aren’t even publishing a news story about the European data. Apparently what happens in the rest of the world just isn’t of much concern to Americans.”
My take on that is that the media has been consistently enthralled by Europe and the way they do things politically and medically. This important piece of news does not help that image. Hence, it is ignored.
Thanks for sharing and keeping us informed!
Samuel Lopez De Victoria
Thanks once more for digging out the real story.
Its a shame news does not report accurately mental health issues. Not reporting the facts hurts all of us. I guess the stigma attached is so great they just shy away from the truth.
Guess it’s true……..you can’t always believe everything you read…
Thanks so much. I’m a graduate student in Ed Psy and would love to know where I can find more research with faulty data and reporting. Please, lead this novice student to some links! Thanks so much. I recommend Psychcentral to all of my clients and coworkers.
Great article.
It is so hard to get accurate information. Easy enough to realise that the media only like to report the “sexy” and sensational, but it so hard to find the truth. You have highlighted this. May be I had just better stick to fiction and novels for my reading – at least they describe themselves honestly