How can you incorporate empathy into your coverage of mental health issues?

In my experience, it is learning to accept that people can have a different perspectives than one holds and both can be true at the same time. learning to acknowledge the grey.

I strive to educate myself about mental health issues and use appropriate language. I share stories of hope and provide information about resources and support services. I promote open conversations about mental health and listen with empathy.

Above all else, start from a position of compassion. this compassion rightly forms a theme through your use of language, the information you review, and ultimately the actions you take. equally, acknowledge mental health challenges are as diverse as the people who encounter them, so make no assumptions, and listen non judgementally.

based on my own experience, incorporating empathy into the portrayal of mental health issues requires a delicate balance of understanding, compassion, & responsible reporting. It involves actively listening to individuals' stories, using language that fosters connection rather than judgment, & respecting their privacy & dignity. Empathy also means highlighting not only the challenges but also the resilience & hope that often accompany mental health journeys. It's about offering resources, expert insights, & diverse perspectives while fostering an open & supportive dialogue with your audience. In essence, empathy in mental health coverage means recognizing the humanity in every story & contributing to a more compassionate & informed society.

Another way in my experience is learning to be present while the individual is sharing. One might not agree with them but giving them the space in your own mind to share is showing empathy/respect.

empathy is just as present in the listening to voices, as it is with taking action. Listening to someone's journey, and identifying opportunities for you to understand more about the complex world of mental health, driving to a change in your actions and behaviours, really speaks to how the voice of those directly affected impacts you.

Much as in life, not everything is fully bad, or fully good. We are all learning as we go throughout life and the more we share experiences with each other, good and bad, the better and more informed we become.

As a human, we all have our own ways of thinking based on our own experiences. It is doing our own inner work to understand that as a journalist or mental health advocate, your role is to highlight the issue with a neutral stance. Bringing different people with similar experiences together and present it in front of the world as clearly as possible.

I am not a journalist, but bias is still prevalent in me as a human. It's right to say reflect, but equally also recognise when perhaps you're not the appropriate persons. some biases are centered around strong, core beliefs (religion etc.) and these beliefs may conflict with your ability to listen non judgementally. recognise these, and seek support from those with a different perspective to maximise empathy.

Aside from the moral implications, there are also very real legal implications to this as well. Mental health conditions, scores, experiences are considered health data, and are very well legislated and governed internationally.

Recognizing mental health exists on a continuum and that we are all on that continuum helps anyone reporting on the topic write with a lens of connection rather than one of separation. It can also be helpful to consider how every person has varying levels of mental wellness that can fluctuate based on a host of factors, including how we write about these topics.