NEWSPAPER COVERAGE OF DEPESSION IN NIGERAN : A CONTENT ANALISIS OF PUNCH AND THE GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER.

ABSTRACT This study examined the portrayal of depression in two selected Nigerian newspapers—The Punch and The Guardian—between March and May 2025. The objective was to analyze the frequency, prominence, forms or genres, sources, and depth of coverage given to depression-related news items within the specified period. Depression, as a growing mental health issue in Nigeria, has often been underreported or misrepresented in the media. Through the use of quantitative content analysis, 53 news articles were purposively sampled from both newspapers and examined using a structured coding sheet. Findings revealed that The Punch accounted for the majority of stories on depression (77.4%) compared to The Guardian (22.6%). The stories were predominantly placed on inside pages, with no front or back-page appearances, indicating low editorial prioritization. The dominant genres were brief reports and general mentions, while interviews, editorials, and in-depth features were rarely used. Most stories lacked professional or expert sources, and a significant portion were derived from press releases, reprints, and court-related content. In terms of depth, only a few stories were full-page, with the majority being short and lacking contextual or analytical depth. The study concludes that although Nigerian newspapers have started reporting on mental health, the coverage of depression remains minimal, superficial, and episodic. The media's framing of depression often reinforces stigma, focusing on extreme outcomes like suicide and crime. The research recommends more proactive, inclusive, and professional mental health journalism that includes expert opinions, lived experiences, and advocacy-oriented storytelling to improve public awareness and reduce stigma. Keywords: Depression, Mental Health, Newspapers, Media Coverage, Framing, Nigeria, Content Analysis