Representation in pop culture and media matters. We all take cues from the world around us when we make decisions about what should be considered right, attractive, acceptable, and normal. Some of our least ignorable social cues come from popular culture, by way of the TV shows we watch, the songs we listen to, and the books we read. When we fail to see our selves, our lives, and our challenges represented in the messages that surround us, it can be easy to decide that we don’t fit within the box that represents “normal.”

“Normal” is a loaded word, but it’s safe to say that experiencing the effects of mental illness is pretty normal today. In 2019, one in five adults in the U.S. lived with a serious mental illness. And while the stigma attached to mental illness may be fading, thoughtful portrayal of mental illness in the media remains incredibly important.

Mental health representation isn’t new to MTV Entertainment Group. The organization’s shows, many of which are historically raw and unscripted, have occasionally delved into its characters’ mental health histories for decades. But recent research into the effects of that representation has set the group on a new path.

We talked to Meredith Goldberg-Morse and Vaughan Bagley about MTV’s new era of mental illness media portrayal and mental health activism. Meredith is a senior manager on the social impact team for MTV Entertainment Group. She focuses specifically on the representation of social issues with a particular focus on mental health in all shows and content. Vaughan is also a senior manager on the social impact team. She focuses on the organization’s action campaigns, developing ways for its audiences to get involved in important issues and movements.

Read the full article about portrayals of mental illness in media by Lindsey Siegele at Causeartist.