# Trial by YouTube: effects of expert psychiatric witness testimony on viewers' opinions of Amber Heard and Johnny Depp

## TL;DR

This study found that watching expert psychiatric testimony in the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial increased stigma toward the individuals compared to general mental illness.

## Contribution

The study reveals how media coverage of mental health in high-profile trials may amplify stigma toward specific individuals.

## Key findings

- Participants had more stigmatizing views of the protagonists after watching the testimony.
- Stigma toward mental disorders in general was less than stigma toward the individuals.
- Media coverage of mental health in trials may worsen public perceptions.

## Abstract

We aimed to assess whether viewing expert witness evidence regarding the mental health of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard in the 2022 court case in the USA would affect viewers’ attitudes towards the mental health of the two protagonists and towards mental illness in general. After viewing excerpts of the cross-examination evidence, 38 trial-naive undergraduate students completed the Prejudice towards People with a Mental Illness (PPMI) scale.

Following viewing, participants held more stigmatising views of the protagonists than they held about mental disorders in general.

It is plausible that mass media trial coverage further stigmatises mental illness.