Growing up I used to hear mixed reviews of the world of
television and how they affect our perception of things. Then I started to actually get engulfed in the
world of television and found myself to be swayed in a sense. I used to watch
everything from cartoons, fashion, hair, sleuth etc. By watching this box with moving pictures, I
found myself surfing channels and getting to know and search for things that
peaked my interest. I learned of the world of mental health through television. I found myself watching sleuthing shows that
focused on the mental health of individuals who snapped and either killed or
made advancements in their worlds. I am a happy go lucky individual and found figuring
out why others do what they do to be mentally stimulating. Why did that mother
decide to kill her kids? Why did this woman feel she deserves to be treated
equal to others? Where did these people find the confidence? These were some of
the questions that would run through my mind and plague me as I grew up and I
wanted to help people either understand their self worth or find out what
causes them to tick. So here I am watching shows that help answer those
questions in the world of solving crimes. I watched as police officers figured
out patterns in a “perps” victims. The oversight of many mental health cases that
was grouped and misdiagnosed. Showing the behind the scenes of why it is hard
to differentiate between depressed and depression. Many of us don’t know the particular
difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist. These were things that
were answered by factual shows as opposed to the quirky and weird written shows
for comedic relief or over dramatization.
Many people feel that television is a way to rot the minds
of children and adults alike. I don’t agree with that sentiment I think with
everything must come with moderation. Many times we tell our children to be
themselves or to be whatever they want to be in life and have stipulations if
it isn't to our particular liking. With television I have been able to see all
aspects of the world from the confinement of my own home. I saw what I liked
and disliked about mental health because of it and it has brought me into the
world of psychology. I feel that with me embarking in psychology, to understand
the process or imbalance of chemical reaction in the brain, it has allowed me
the ability to find my niche in life. You have to at times be predisposed to a
career path to know whether or not it peaks your interest and if you want to
take that journey. Television if you haven’t noticed has helped me decide that
mental health is an issue I want help with. Mental health affects so many of
our inmates and our children. “Nearly a quarter of both State
prisoners and jail inmates who had a mental health problem, compared to a fifth
of those without, had served 3 or more prior incarcerations (Mental Health Problems Of Prison And Jail
Inmates by Lauren E. Glaze, Doris J. James)” I would
have never known that there were so many people affected by mental disease if
it wasn't for me being exposed to it. I learned many things from television
that has helped me through life. Not to say I believe everything I see on
television, infomercials are not my thing, but they cause me to question and
search for the answer to life’s questions.
