A new episode of iCarly highlights the female character, Sam, checking herself into a mental institution.

Nickelodeon's ("Nick") episode of the popular adolescent-targeted show, iCarly, is entitled "iLost My Mind". The character Sam kisses a boy she hates, so she assumes she has "lost her mind" and checks herself into a "mental hospital." While there, she "finger-paints" before her friends try to "break her out." The promo suggests their plan is "crazy" and "insane." 

This characterization stigmatizes adolescent psychiatric hospitalization. Such a callous rendering would never be given to treatments for other life threatening illnesses such as cancer or AIDS.

A 2010 SAMHSA study found nearly 1 in 10 youths between the ages of 12 and 17 experienced major depression in a year—nearly 2 million youths. Fewer than 4 in 10 of these youths received treatment. These kids are Nick's and iCarly's audience. Does Nick think this is funny? 

This is not an issue of censorship or creative intent, it is about stigmatizing something very serious and often overlooked in iCarly's target audience. Adolescent psychiatric hospitalization is something on which more light should be shed, not mocked. While an adult audience may be able to make this distinction, I believe Nick has a responsibility to the young people to whom it caters to not feed into these kinds of stigmas. Hospitalization is unfortunately very real for some youths experiencing depression and other psychiatric problems and can and has saved lives. 

Asking Viacom/Nick to pull this episode is unrealistic and unnecessary. What we are asking is that a clarification be made at the end of the episode explaining that adolescent depression and/or hospitalization is no joke and perhaps offer the name of a website or hotline for youths who need help. We believe it is the responsibility of an adolescent-targeted show to help fight the stigma that psychiatric hospitalization is a punch line. 

“Stigma assumes many forms, both subtle and overt. It appears as prejudice and discrimination, fear, distrust, and stereotyping. It prompts many people to avoid working, socializing, and living with people who have a mental disorder. Stigma impedes people from seeking help for fear the confidentiality of their diagnosis or treatment will be breached. For our Nation to reduce the burden of mental illness, to improve access to care, and to achieve urgently needed knowledge about the brain, mind and behavior, STIGMA must no longer be tolerated" (U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health, 1999).