Identify the behavioral health condition that you will address in your written paper as well as the two film
examples that you will use. In addition, it is helpful to develop an outline for the paper that should include the
following components:
I. Behavioral Health Condition selected
a. Definition of the condition
b. Symptoms/characteristics of the condition
c. Incidence of the condition in the population
d. General statement of how this condition is viewed currently and/or historically
e. Other factors you wish to include
II. Media Portrayals of This Condition
a. Thesis for your essay
b. Brief description of the two film examples selected (about 1 paragraph each)
c. General description of how each portrays a stereotyped or misleading representation or accurate
representation of the condition (about 1-2 paragraphs)
d. Compare and contrast specific examples from the two film sources that support the general description (for
example, the language used, the behaviors described/portrayed, the attribution of motive, the perception of
treatment, the references to recovery, etc.). Provide examples from each movie.
III. Synthesis and Conclusion
a. Synthesis of and application of content learned in class to the topic/medium used in the paper; analysis of
conflicting views.
b. Impact of the stigmatized views and the realistic views on the perception of mental illness, substance abuse,
co-occurring disorders
Sample Solution
