How to write about mental health

Mental health is a crucial topic, garnering increasing attention as individuals, communities, and organizations recognize its profound impact on overall well-being.

The need for quality mental health content is rising as mental health concerns grow globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 8 people worldwide live with a mental health condition, with anxiety and depression among the most common. Closer to home, data from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reveals that in the U.S., 21% of adults experienced mental illness in 2022, equating to over 50 million people.

At the same time, mental health services remain stretched thin. According to a 2023 survey by the American Psychological Association, nearly 60% of psychologists report no capacity for new patients, reflecting both rising demand and systemic challenges.

Whether you’re writing blogs, creating videos or posting to social media, crafting trustworthy and respectful mental health content requires care. Let’s explore some do’s and don’ts to guide you in writing about mental health effectively.

Writing about mental health: The do’s

If your editorial calendar planning includes mental health content, you’re already on the right path to building positive mental health awareness. Here are some recommendations for writing about mental health in a trustworthy, clinically accurate and positive way.

Do start with a goal for your mental health content

Define your purpose before diving into content creation. Are you educating readers about symptoms, sharing patient stories to foster connection or dispelling stigmas about mental illness? For example, patient stories can encourage empathy and inspire action, while interviews with mental health professionals can provide valuable expertise. Aligning content with your goal ensures focus and relevance.

Do use credible sources

As mental health professionals’ workloads and waitlists increase, they have less time to serve as your subject matter experts. Even if they have the time, many are burnt out as the demand for their skills grows.

You can create clinically accurate content by starting with credible sources. As you know, our favorite search engines don’t rank results based on credibility. So, you’ll have to be discerning.

Professional organizations often lead the charge in creating awareness and conducting research in their area of focus. Start with this list of national mental health organizations from the American Hospital Association. You can also consider recent peer-reviewed research, which you can find through article databases such as PubMed, JSTOR or EBSCO.

Do include details on how to get in touch with professional help

Mental health content should never replace professional care. Include actionable resources, such as hotline numbers or links to reputable organizations like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) or Crisis Text Line. Providing clear steps to access help ensures your content supports readers in need.

Writing about mental health: The don’ts

Words are powerful tools. They can promote awareness or perpetuate harmful stereotypes. Avoid these common pitfalls when writing about mental health:

Don’t limit people’s identities to their mental health

People are not their diseases. For example, instead of saying “she is obsessive-compulsive,” use “she has obsessive-compulsive disorder.” Likewise, instead of saying “the mentally ill,” refocus to “people with mental illness.”

Don’t turn people into victims

Mental health content should create awareness, not pity. If you use words like “suffers from,” “victim of” and “battling,” you suggest that people with mental illness are victims. Instead, keep it neutral and clinically accurate by focusing on the facts: “he has schizophrenia.”

Don’t use derogatory terms

Phrases like “crazy,” “insane,” or “psychotic” are not only outdated but harmful. These terms perpetuate stigma and can alienate your audience. Choose respectful and clinically accurate language to foster understanding.

Mental health campaign example

NAMI’s “Take the Moment” campaign aimed to foster open dialogue about mental health. According to the website, “This campaign also champions the importance of destigmatizing mental health by normalizing the practice of taking moments to prioritize mental health care without guilt or shame.”

Create thoughtful mental health content

These do’s and don’ts can guide you to create thoughtful mental health content for even the trickiest of topics. By starting with the essential elements — a defined goal, solid sources and directions for help — and avoiding harmful language, you can write with confidence.

Need help writing about mental health? WG Content is here for you! Our team of healthcare content experts knows how to navigate tricky topics like mental health content. Let us know how we can help.

Editor’s note: This post was originally written in December 2021. It was updated in June 2024.

Follow-up questions about mental health content:

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