Tips for Reporting on Behavioral Health: A Downloadable Guide
Understanding the Importance:
Behavioral health conditions, encompassing mental and substance use disorders, are crucial public health issues. As a journalist, your coverage can either illuminate the struggles and realities associated with these conditions, encouraging those affected to seek help, or inadvertently perpetuate stereotypes and stigma. Therefore, reporting must be done sensitively and accurately to foster a supportive environment for individuals with these conditions. Remember, your words have the power to either harm or heal, so choose them wisely.
Key Guidelines for Reporting:
1. Relevance to Story Before mentioning someone’s mental health or substance use condition, ask if it’s crucial for the narrative. If it doesn’t add value, omit it to avoid unnecessary labeling and stigmatization.
2. Verify Your Sources Ensure your information is accurate and derived from reliable sources. Avoid hearsay and speculation; instead, use authorized sources knowledgeable about the individual’s condition.
3. Mind Your Language
Words matter. Avoid terms that perpetuate stereotypes, like “crazy,” “addict,” or “alcoholic.” Adopt “person-first” language that acknowledges individuals as people first, not just their conditions (e.g., “a person with a substance use disorder”).
4. Present the Facts Reflect the complexity of behavioral health issues, which result from a blend of genetic, neurobiological, environmental, and behavioral factors. Emphasize that behavioral health conditions are major public
health concerns, with significant implications for society and the economy.
5. Highlight Prevention & Early Intervention
Stress that many behavioral health disorders are preventable and manageable with early intervention,
just like many physical health conditions.
6. Promote Treatment & Recovery
Reporting should minimize barriers to treatment by emphasizing its effectiveness and accessibility. Highlight stories of recovery to inspire hope and show that improvement and healing are possible with the right support and treatment.
Specific Tips:
Avoid Sensationalism - Sensationalizing mental health issues can further stigmatize individuals
living with these conditions, so approach each story with empathy and understanding.
Focus on Recovery - Showcase stories of individuals successfully managing their behavioral health conditions to provide hope and inspiration to others.
Provide Resources - Whenever possible, include information on where readers can find help, support, and treatment for behavioral health conditions. Link to 988lifeline.org.
Consult Experts - Engage with mental health professionals, researchers, and advocates to ensure your reporting is accurate, sensitive, and informed.
Source: THE CARTER CENTER Journalism Resource Guide on Behavioral Health, 2023
Tips for Writing About 988
988 is a vital resource for individuals facing mental health crises. When writing about it, understanding its operations, vision, and the sensitive nature of the topics involved is critical. Ensure your messaging is accurate, empathetic, and focused on promoting help-seeking and recovery, while considering the diverse needs and concerns of all audiences.Key Guidelines for Communicating:
1. Know the Service 988 is a confidential, free, and always available universal access point for individuals across the U.S. who are experiencing mental health-related distress, including suicidal thoughts, substance use crises, and emotional distress. The service ensures that regardless of location, anyone can connect with trained crisis counselors 24/7/365 through call, text, or chat.
2. Highlight the Need Stress the urgent need for crisis services, evidenced by increasing rates of suicide and mental health distress. Utilize statistics responsibly to emphasize the necessity without sensationalizing the issue.
3. Promote the Vision
Explain 988’s vision of providing accessible crisis care, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to enhance and expand services, and the commitment from federal, state, and territorial levels for its success.
4. Differentiate from Other Services Clearly distinguish 988 from other emergency services, explaining its focus on non-invasive interventions and its unique role in crisis support. Address potential concerns about law enforcement involvement, especially in communities where this might be a barrier to seeking help.
5. Strategic and Informed Messaging
Develop a communication strategy for 988 considering your goals, target audience, and channels. Ensure messages are research-based, data-informed, and considerate of the unique needs and perceptions of diverse audiences.
6. Safe and Positive Messaging
Adopt a solutions-focused narrative, avoiding messages that glamorize or simplify suicide. Instead, highlight positive stories of help-seeking and recovery, emphasizing available solutions and services for those struggling.
7. Collaborate and Engage
Work with local crisis centers, state suicide prevention coordinators, and organizations with expertise in serving specific populations (like youth, veterans, and minority communities) to develop and disseminate messages about 988.
8. Tailor Messages
Recognize that suicide prevention and mental health aren’t “one-size-fits-all.” Craft messages that respect and address the unique perspectives, experiences, and needs of various audiences.
9. Use Data Responsibly
When using statistics, focus on data that illuminates effective solutions rather than merely highlighting the problem. Ensure data is used strategically, with appropriate context, to encourage action rather than induce fear.Source: SAMHSA.gov, 2023. For logos and branding assets please visit 988ga.org/resources. For the latest data on 988 in Georgia visit 988ga.org/data.
Include an End Card
When sharing stories that delve into topics of emotional struggles, addiction or suicide, it is essential to provide resources for readers who may be facing similar challenges. Please conclude related articles with: “If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is accessible and immediate. Reach out to the 988 Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or connect online at 988lifeline.org for compassionate, confidential support.”
