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Andreas Lubitz 'Depression' Headlines Slammed By Mental Health Charities As 'Simplistic'

People With Depression Are Asking The Daily Mail What They CAN Do
Louise Ridley
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Newspaper headlines have been called "shameful" and "awful" for stigmatising people with depression in the coverage of Andreas Lubitz, the Germanwings co-pilot who crashed an Airbus A320 killing everyone on board.

As it emerged that Lubitz may have had a history of depression, headlines from some of Britain's newspapers called him "crazed" and a "madman" and asked "Why on earth was he allowed to fly?"

Mental health charities called out the "overly simplistic" portrayal of depression and the implication that it could cause someone to be a murderer, or disqualify them from working.

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Some people with depression mocked the Daily Mail, which implied that Lubitz should not have had his job if he suffered from depression.

Twitter users asked the newspaper to check whether they were "allowed" to drive, or even make a cup of tea:

In a joint statement, Paul Farmer, the chief executive of Mind; Mark Winstanley the head of Rethink Mental Illness, and Sue Baker, the director of the Time to Change campaign, said the front pages risked "adding to the stigma surrounding mental health problems."

“The terrible loss of life in the Germanwings plane crash is tragic, and we send our deepest sympathies to the families," they said.

"Whilst the full facts are still emerging, there has been widespread media reporting speculating about the link with the pilot’s history of depression, which has been overly simplistic.

"Clearly assessment of all pilots’ physical and mental health is entirely appropriate - but assumptions about risk shouldn't be made across the board for people with depression, or any other illness.

"There will be pilots with experience of depression who have flown safely for decades and assessments should be made on a case by case basis.

"Today’s headlines risk adding to the stigma surrounding mental health problems, which millions of people experience each year, and we would encourage the media to report this issue responsibly.”

A spokesperson for Mind told The Huffington Post UK that this applied to almost all of Friday's newspaper headlines, not just the tabloids.

Other online commenters claimed that this kind of media coverage could discourage those with mental health issues - which one in four people will experience during their lives - from talking about their experience.

MORE ON GERMANWINGS:

Others people pointed out that those with depression are able to have jobs, and to function normally in society, without killing hundreds of people.

SEE ALSO:

Andreas Lubitz: Police Investigate Role Of Germanwings Co-Pilot
Police Investigate Role Of Germanwings Co-Pilot(01 of25)
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DUESSELDORF, GERMANY - MARCH 26: Police stand in front of the residence of Andreas Lubitz, the co-pilot on Germanwings flight 4U9525, on March 26, 2015 in Duesseldorf, Germany. French authorities confirmed that Lubitz was alone in the cockpit during the rapid descent of flight 4U9525 until it crashed into mountains in southern France two days ago, killing all 150 people on board. Authorities are pursuing the possibility that Lubitz might have acted deliberately in steering the aircraft to its destruction. (Photo by Sascha Steinbach/Getty Images) (credit:Sascha Steinbach via Getty Images)
Police Investigate Role Of Germanwings Co-Pilot(02 of25)
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DUESSELDORF, GERMANY - MARCH 26: Investigators carry boxes from the apartment of Andreas Lubitz, the co-pilot on Germanwings flight 4U9525, on March 26, 2015 in Duesseldorf, Germany. French authorities confirmed that Lubitz was alone in the cockpit during the rapid descent of flight 4U9525 until it crashed into mountains in southern France two days ago, killing all 150 people on board. Authorities are pursuing the possibility that Lubitz might have acted deliberately in steering the aircraft to its destruction. (Photo by Sascha Steinbach/Getty Images) (credit:Sascha Steinbach via Getty Images)
Police Investigate Role Of Germanwings Co-Pilot(03 of25)
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DUESSELDORF, GERMANY - MARCH 26: Investigators carry boxes from the apartment of Andreas Lubitz, the co-pilot on Germanwings flight 4U9525, on March 26, 2015 in Duesseldorf, Germany. French authorities confirmed that Lubitz was alone in the cockpit during the rapid descent of flight 4U9525 until it crashed into mountains in southern France two days ago, killing all 150 people on board. Authorities are pursuing the possibility that Lubitz might have acted deliberately in steering the aircraft to its destruction. (Photo by Sascha Steinbach/Getty Images) (credit:Sascha Steinbach via Getty Images)
Police Investigate Role Of Germanwings Co-Pilot(04 of25)
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DUESSELDORF, GERMANY - MARCH 26: Investigators carry boxes from the apartment of Andreas Lubitz, the co-pilot on Germanwings flight 4U9525, on March 26, 2015 in Duesseldorf, Germany. French authorities confirmed that Lubitz was alone in the cockpit during the rapid descent of flight 4U9525 until it crashed into mountains in southern France two days ago, killing all 150 people on board. Authorities are pursuing the possibility that Lubitz might have acted deliberately in steering the aircraft to its destruction. (Photo by Sascha Steinbach/Getty Images) (credit:Sascha Steinbach via Getty Images)
Police Investigate Role Of Germanwings Co-Pilot(05 of25)
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DUESSELDORF, GERMANY - MARCH 26: The residence of Andreas Lubitz, the co-pilot on Germanwings flight 4U9525, is seen on March 26, 2015 in Duesseldorf, Germany. French authorities confirmed that Lubitz was alone in the cockpit during the rapid descent of flight 4U9525 until it crashed into mountains in southern France two days ago, killing all 150 people on board. Authorities are pursuing the possibility that Lubitz might have acted deliberately in steering the aircraft to its destruction. (Photo by Sascha Steinbach/Getty Images) (credit:Sascha Steinbach via Getty Images)
GERMANY-FRANCE-SPAIN-AVIATION-ACCIDENT(06 of25)
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A policeman walks from a house on March 26, 2015, in Montabaur, soutwestern Germany, from where the co-pilot of the crashed Germanwings plane came. Andreas Lubitz, the co-pilot who French authorities say appeared to deliberately crash a Germanwings flight, was a life-long flying enthusiast with no apparent psychological problems or terrorist links. AFP PHOTO / PATRIK STOLLARZ (Photo credit should read PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PATRIK STOLLARZ via Getty Images)
Police Investigate Role Of Germanwings Co-Pilot(07 of25)
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DUESSELDORF, GERMANY - MARCH 26: Police stand in front of the residence of Andreas Lubitz, the co-pilot on Germanwings flight 4U9525, on March 26, 2015 in Duesseldorf, Germany. French authorities confirmed that Lubitz was alone in the cockpit during the rapid descent of flight 4U9525 until it crashed into mountains in southern France two days ago, killing all 150 people on board. Authorities are pursuing the possibility that Lubitz might have acted deliberately in steering the aircraft to its destruction. (Photo by Sascha Steinbach/Getty Images) (credit:Sascha Steinbach via Getty Images)
Police Investigate Role Of Germanwings Co-Pilot(08 of25)
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DUESSELDORF, GERMANY - MARCH 26: The residence of Andreas Lubitz, the co-pilot on Germanwings flight 4U9525, is seen on March 26, 2015 in Duesseldorf, Germany. French authorities confirmed that Lubitz was alone in the cockpit during the rapid descent of flight 4U9525 until it crashed into mountains in southern France two days ago, killing all 150 people on board. Authorities are pursuing the possibility that Lubitz might have acted deliberately in steering the aircraft to its destruction. (Photo by Sascha Steinbach/Getty Images) (credit:Sascha Steinbach via Getty Images)
Police Investigate Role Of Germanwings Co-Pilot(09 of25)
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DUESSELDORF, GERMANY - MARCH 26: Investigators carry boxes from the apartment of Andreas Lubitz, the co-pilot on Germanwings flight 4U9525, on March 26, 2015 in Duesseldorf, Germany. French authorities confirmed that Lubitz was alone in the cockpit during the rapid descent of flight 4U9525 until it crashed into mountains in southern France two days ago, killing all 150 people on board. Authorities are pursuing the possibility that Lubitz might have acted deliberately in steering the aircraft to its destruction. (Photo by Sascha Steinbach/Getty Images) (credit:Sascha Steinbach via Getty Images)
Police Investigate Role Of Germanwings Co-Pilot(10 of25)
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DUESSELDORF, GERMANY - MARCH 26: Investigators carry boxes from the apartment of Andreas Lubitz, the co-pilot on Germanwings flight 4U9525, on March 26, 2015 in Duesseldorf, Germany. French authorities confirmed that Lubitz was alone in the cockpit during the rapid descent of flight 4U9525 until it crashed into mountains in southern France two days ago, killing all 150 people on board. Authorities are pursuing the possibility that Lubitz might have acted deliberately in steering the aircraft to its destruction. (Photo by Sascha Steinbach/Getty Images) (credit:Sascha Steinbach via Getty Images)
Police Investigate Role Of Germanwings Co-Pilot(11 of25)
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DUESSELDORF, GERMANY - MARCH 26: Investigators carry boxes from the apartment of Andreas Lubitz, the co-pilot on Germanwings flight 4U9525, on March 26, 2015 in Duesseldorf, Germany. French authorities confirmed that Lubitz was alone in the cockpit during the rapid descent of flight 4U9525 until it crashed into mountains in southern France two days ago, killing all 150 people on board. Authorities are pursuing the possibility that Lubitz might have acted deliberately in steering the aircraft to its destruction. (Photo by Sascha Steinbach/Getty Images) (credit:Sascha Steinbach via Getty Images)
Police Investigate Role Of Germanwings Co-Pilot(12 of25)
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DUESSELDORF, GERMANY - MARCH 26: Police stand in front of the residence of Andreas Lubitz, the co-pilot on Germanwings flight 4U9525, on March 26, 2015 in Duesseldorf, Germany. French authorities confirmed that Lubitz was alone in the cockpit during the rapid descent of flight 4U9525 until it crashed into mountains in southern France two days ago, killing all 150 people on board. Authorities are pursuing the possibility that Lubitz might have acted deliberately in steering the aircraft to its destruction. (Photo by Sascha Steinbach/Getty Images) (credit:Sascha Steinbach via Getty Images)
Police Investigate Role Of Germanwings Co-Pilot(13 of25)
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MONTABAUR, GERMANY - MARCH 26: A man places flowers in front of the residence of the parents of Andreas Lubitz, co-pilot on Germanwings flight 4U9525, on March 26, 2015 in Montabaur, Germany. French authorities confirmed that Lubitz was alone in the cockpit during the rapid descent of flight 4U9525 until it crashed into mountains in southern France two days ago, killing all 150 people on board. Authorities are pursuing the possibility that Lubitz might have acted deliberately in steering the aircraft to is destruction. (Photo by Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images) (credit:Thomas Lohnes via Getty Images)
Police Investigate Role Of Germanwings Co-Pilot(14 of25)
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MONTABAUR, GERMANY - MARCH 26: Police stand in front of the residence of the parents of Andreas Lubitz, co-pilot on Germanwings flight 4U9525, on March 26, 2015 in Montabaur, Germany. French authorities confirmed that Lubitz was alone in the cockpit during the rapid descent of flight 4U9525 until it crashed into mountains in southern France two days ago, killing all 150 people on board. Authorities are pursuing the possibility that Lubitz might have acted deliberately in steering the aircraft to is destruction. (Photo by Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images) (credit:Thomas Lohnes via Getty Images)
Police Investigate Role Of Germanwings Co-Pilot(15 of25)
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MONTABAUR, GERMANY - MARCH 26: Police stand in front of the residence of the parents of Andreas Lubitz, co-pilot on Germanwings flight 4U9525, on March 26, 2015 in Montabaur, Germany. French authorities confirmed that Lubitz was alone in the cockpit during the rapid descent of flight 4U9525 until it crashed into mountains in southern France two days ago, killing all 150 people on board. Authorities are pursuing the possibility that Lubitz might have acted deliberately in steering the aircraft to is destruction. (Photo by Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images) (credit:Thomas Lohnes via Getty Images)
Police Investigate Role Of Germanwings Co-Pilot(16 of25)
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MONTABAUR, GERMANY - MARCH 26: Police stand in front of the residence of the parents of Andreas Lubitz, co-pilot on Germanwings flight 4U9525, on March 26, 2015 in Montabaur, Germany. French authorities confirmed that Lubitz was alone in the cockpit during the rapid descent of flight 4U9525 until it crashed into mountains in southern France two days ago, killing all 150 people on board. Authorities are pursuing the possibility that Lubitz might have acted deliberately in steering the aircraft to is destruction. (Photo by Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images) (credit:Thomas Lohnes via Getty Images)
Police Investigate Role Of Germanwings Co-Pilot(17 of25)
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MONTABAUR, GERMANY - MARCH 26: Police stand in front of the residence of the parents of Andreas Lubitz, co-pilot on Germanwings flight 4U9525, on March 26, 2015 in Montabaur, Germany. French authorities confirmed that Lubitz was alone in the cockpit during the rapid descent of flight 4U9525 until it crashed into mountains in southern France two days ago, killing all 150 people on board. Authorities are pursuing the possibility that Lubitz might have acted deliberately in steering the aircraft to is destruction. (Photo by Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images) (credit:Thomas Lohnes via Getty Images)
Police Investigate Role Of Germanwings Co-Pilot(18 of25)
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MONTABAUR, GERMANY - MARCH 26: A policeman carries bags out of the residence of the parents of Andreas Lubitz, co-pilot on Germanwings flight 4U9525, on March 26, 2015 in Montabaur, Germany. French authorities confirmed that Lubitz was alone in the cockpit during the rapid descent of flight 4U9525 until it crashed into mountains in southern France two days ago, killing all 150 people on board. Authorities are pursuing the possibility that Lubitz might have acted deliberately in steering the aircraft to is destruction. (Photo by Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images) (credit:Thomas Lohnes via Getty Images)
Police Investigate Role Of Germanwings Co-Pilot(19 of25)
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MONTABAUR, GERMANY - MARCH 26: Police carry computer, a box and bags out of the residence of the parents of Andreas Lubitz, co-pilot on Germanwings flight 4U9525, on March 26, 2015 in Montabaur, Germany. French authorities confirmed that Lubitz was alone in the cockpit during the rapid descent of flight 4U9525 until it crashed into mountains in southern France two days ago, killing all 150 people on board. Authorities are pursuing the possibility that Lubitz might have acted deliberately in steering the aircraft to is destruction. (Photo by Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images) (credit:Thomas Lohnes via Getty Images)
Police Investigate Role Of Germanwings Co-Pilot(20 of25)
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MONTABAUR, GERMANY - MARCH 26: Police carry computer, a box and bags out of the residence of the parents of Andreas Lubitz, co-pilot on Germanwings flight 4U9525, on March 26, 2015 in Montabaur, Germany. French authorities confirmed that Lubitz was alone in the cockpit during the rapid descent of flight 4U9525 until it crashed into mountains in southern France two days ago, killing all 150 people on board. Authorities are pursuing the possibility that Lubitz might have acted deliberately in steering the aircraft to is destruction. (Photo by Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images) (credit:Thomas Lohnes via Getty Images)
Police Investigate Role Of Germanwings Co-Pilot(21 of25)
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MONTABAUR, GERMANY - MARCH 26: Police stand in front of the residence of the parents of Andreas Lubitz, co-pilot on Germanwings flight 4U9525, on March 26, 2015 in Montabaur, Germany. French authorities confirmed that Lubitz was alone in the cockpit during the rapid descent of flight 4U9525 until it crashed into mountains in southern France two days ago, killing all 150 people on board. Authorities are pursuing the possibility that Lubitz might have acted deliberately in steering the aircraft to is destruction. (Photo by Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images) (credit:Thomas Lohnes via Getty Images)
Police Investigate Role Of Germanwings Co-Pilot(22 of25)
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MONTABAUR, GERMANY - MARCH 26: The shadow of a policeman is seen in a window of the residence of the parents of Andreas Lubitz, co-pilot on Germanwings flight 4U9525, on March 26, 2015 in Montabaur, Germany. French authorities confirmed that Lubitz was alone in the cockpit during the rapid descent of flight 4U9525 until it crashed into mountains in southern France two days ago, killing all 150 people on board. Authorities are pursuing the possibility that Lubitz might have acted deliberately in steering the aircraft to is destruction. (Photo by Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images) (credit:Thomas Lohnes via Getty Images)
Police Investigate Role Of Germanwings Co-Pilot(23 of25)
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MONTABAUR, GERMANY - MARCH 26: Police carries a computer out of the residence of the parents of Andreas Lubitz, co-pilot on Germanwings flight 4U9525, on March 26, 2015 in Montabaur, Germany. French authorities confirmed that Lubitz was alone in the cockpit during the rapid descent of flight 4U9525 until it crashed into mountains in southern France two days ago, killing all 150 people on board. Authorities are pursuing the possibility that Lubitz might have acted deliberately in steering the aircraft to is destruction. (Photo by Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images) (credit:Thomas Lohnes via Getty Images)
Police Investigate Role Of Germanwings Co-Pilot(24 of25)
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MONTABAUR, GERMANY - MARCH 26: Police stand in front of the residence of the parents of Andreas Lubitz, co-pilot on Germanwings flight 4U9525, on March 26, 2015 in Montabaur, Germany. French authorities confirmed that Lubitz was alone in the cockpit during the rapid descent of flight 4U9525 until it crashed into mountains in southern France two days ago, killing all 150 people on board. Authorities are pursuing the possibility that Lubitz might have acted deliberately in steering the aircraft to is destruction. (Photo by Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images) (credit:Thomas Lohnes via Getty Images)
Police Investigate Role Of Germanwings Co-Pilot(25 of25)
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MONTABAUR, GERMANY - MARCH 26: Police stand in front of the residence of the parents of Andreas Lubitz, co-pilot on Germanwings flight 4U9525, on March 26, 2015 in Montabaur, Germany. French authorities confirmed that Lubitz was alone in the cockpit during the rapid descent of flight 4U9525 until it crashed into mountains in southern France two days ago, killing all 150 people on board. Authorities are pursuing the possibility that Lubitz might have acted deliberately in steering the aircraft to is destruction. (Photo by Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images) (credit:Thomas Lohnes via Getty Images)
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