During Semester 1 I looked into health advertising and how effective it is. I was interested in what form of advertising was most influential but also whether or not celebrities could promote healthy living/ and or awareness.
I was listening to the radio a little while back and remember hearing on the news section that the number of people contacting helplines in regards to bipolar queries had risen in recent months. It was thought the reason for such an increase was down to the Eastenders story line in which one of the characters were suffering from this condition.
The character, Stacey, is a young girl in her twenties who is quite loud and outgoing so having this illness was very scary and confusing. Even though the public are aware this is only a soap many people were probably able to relate to Stacey. Their heightened knowledge on the subject, through watching the story unfold, perhaps gave them the information and courage they needed to seek help for themselves.
Soaps tend to touch on various medical problems whether it is an eating disorders or addiction to alcohol. And whilst for some this is merely a story line for others it may be the information they need to deal with their own problems. There are usually helpline numbers given after the program finishes, which means the public know they are contacting a reliable organisation where they can get advice.
Why do you think people have gained help after watching a soap? Is it because they identify with the character? Or is it that they were perhaps unaware of this illness before watching the program? Could it be that they didn't know who to go to for help, until they saw the advertised helplines? Or is it just a coincidence?
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