Psy 301-CSULB

GUIDELINES FOR MEDIA MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS from Association for Media Psychology

l. Definition and qualifications of those whom the association for media psychology recognizes as media mental health professionals --(Ph.D. in Psychology, M.D. (psychiatry), M.S.W., M.A. in psychiatric nursing.

2. Members of the association adhere to the guidelines of the association and to whatever guidelines their own professions disseminate.

3. The welfare of the consumer is of primary concern to media mental health professionals.

4. The association encourages and supports research in the area of media psychology wherever and whenever possible.

5. Media mental health professionals confine their remarks to their areas of expertise and training and refrain from commenting about issues beyond their areas of competence.

6. Media mental health professionals shall attempt to keep current on relevant studies about topics likely to occur so that information dispensed to the public will be as accurate as possible. They present--when appropriate--all points of view when legitimate conflicts exist.

7. Media mental health professionals apply the same rules of referencing that are appropriate to the presentation of written research.

8. In call-in type programs, media professionals do not criticize or disagree with the caller's reported version of his/her therapy or the modality of therapy described by the caller.

9. Self-referrals are not made to the media mental health professional (or his/her preferred colleagues) either on or off the air; consumers who want referrals to private practitioners are referred to local and state psychological associations or to non-profit clinics.

10. In call-in type programs, media mental health professionals avoid giving recommendations of drastic change.

11. Media professionals inform the public and the members of the entertainment medium in which they work that media psychology is not psychotherapy.

12. Media mental health professionals alert radio and TV stations and other forms of media who employ them of AMP guidelines.

13. Media professionals shall make every effort to protect the confidentiality of callers and of others whose cases are described when presenting a case history.

14. Media mental health professionals do not compensate representatives of the press, radio, television, or other communication media in anticipation of or in return for professional publicity.

15. Media professionals whose speeches or other remarks are covered by the press provide written summaries of their remarks to the media.

16. Complaints about media professionals by colleagues should first be taken up with the professional involved--directly.

Note: Very abridged version. Early version of guidelines. Changes may have occurred in later drafts.