Abstract
The general objective of the study was to ascertain how selected Nigerian
newspapers covered mental illness stories from 2015-2019. Specifically, the
study determined frequency of coverage of mental illness in the
newspapers; level of prominence given to reports on mental illness; frames
used in mental illness reportage; and subject matters under which stories
were covered in the newspapers. Four national dailies in Nigeria were
purposively selected for the study. They include Daily Sun, The Guardian,
The Nation, and Vanguard newspapers. Constructed week sampling
technique was used to select stories from the four newspapers from 2015 to
2019. Findings of the study reveal that only 51 stories were found from the
224 analysed editions. This is an indication that mental disorder lacks
adequate coverage. Furthermore, no priority was given, as 92 percent of the
stories were on the inside pages of the newspapers. The dominant story
genre was straight news stories, indicating that the newspapers kept the
audience abreast of the latest news on the subject. However, zero efforts
were made to enlighten and broaden public knowledge of the intrinsic
factors of mental disorders. Based on the findings, it was recommended that
the media pay adequate attention to mental illness stories by publicising the
topic through media education, awareness campaigns, and holistic
reportage. The media's agenda-setting role, if implemented, could
promulgate policies that enhance government allocation of resources
towards mental health facilities across the country.