Guided by the Facts: Staying Oriented in a Sea of Misinformation
- ecbailly
- Oct 16
- 2 min read
Recently, I stumbled upon a YouTube episode hosted by the popular Dr. Mike, who spent time with Dr. Eric Bender, a psychiatrist known for advising media outlets on accurately depicting mental illness. This is an area I’ve always found fascinating—especially how mental illness and substance misuse are portrayed in movies and television.
I can’t count how many times I’ve been struck by the incredible inaccuracies: movies offering quick, tidy solutions to complex behavioral health conditions, completely detached from the realities of care. The film “28 Days” and its portrayal of substance misuse treatment still drives me nuts. Growing up with a physician father and watching “Trapper John MD” as a kid made for plenty of dinner table commentary—like, “There’s no way hospital administrators would let that guy live in an RV in the parking lot!”
Exploring Misinformation—and Opportunity
Developed to counter misinformation in healthcare, Dr. Mike’s YouTube channel offers a wealth of content across topics from nutrition to mental health. I particularly appreciated his conversation with Dr. Bender in Everything Society Gets Wrong About Mental Illness—a thoughtful exchange covering how media portrayals shape public understanding of mental illness, what realistic treatment looks like, how our current healthcare system responds to mental health issues, and what first steps toward help may entail.
Even when depictions miss the mark, these moments create opportunities: to talk about mental illness honestly, to explore what effective management really involves, and to move away from the casual, often damaging references that reinforce stigma. While social media can perpetuate misinformation, it also holds remarkable potential to share digestible, evidence-based insights that empower both professionals and the public.
About six or seven years ago, I discovered another trusted source—Healthcare Triage, hosted by Dr. Aaron Carroll from the University of Indiana. His fast-paced, accessible approach to explaining healthcare policy and medical research has made topics like the opioid overdose epidemic far easier to grasp. I’ve even incorporated his videos into my classroom teaching to help students understand how the U.S. healthcare delivery system compares globally.
Navigating Truth in an Age of Misinformation
In a time when misinformation spreads faster than ever—particularly in healthcare—it’s important to recognize platforms that get it right. At NorthStar Behavioral Health Advisory, I believe in the value of navigating complex social systems so that all communities may thrive. In moments of uncertainty, truth and clarity are acts of service. Whether through evidence-based education, cross-sector collaboration, or pragmatic strategy, we can chart a better course—together. If your organization is seeking to respond strategically to the challenges of misinformation and behavioral health complexity, I’d welcome the opportunity to connect.
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