As public opinion is shaped to fit what the media portrays, the mentally ill are also affected as the stigma resulting from these portrayals decreases the number of people willing to seek help. Therefore, if the media represented the mentally ill in a balanced way, it would likely reduce the amount of stigma imposed on that particular group of individuals. There has always been an understanding that the rich and famous exerted extremely great influence on people. However, I was surprised to learn that the media in general could have the same effect on people suffering from mental illness. This is a heartbreaking thought because the mental health community is suffering at the hands of the media. People label those who suffer from mental illness as weak because all most people know about mentally ill people is what they learn from the media. There was a Geico commercial about a drill sergeant while a therapist acted out in class that was supposed to be funny, and for the most part, I assume it was. However, those who know the mentally ill understand how harmful this can be. Present