Grassroots Mental Health Groups' Use of Advocacy Strategies in Social Media Messaging

Bibliographic Data

ID4632410
AuthorsSarah Smith-Frigerio (0000-0002-7809-0144, Columbus State University, Columbus, Georgia, USA, corresponding author)
Year2020
Volume30
Issue14
Pages2205-2216
Publication date2020-12-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueQualitative Health Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1049-7323 • E-ISSN: 1552-7557
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1049732320951532
PMID32842878
OpenAlexW3080978277
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited22

Mental health concerns are a public health crisis. Stigma is the primary reason why individuals do not disclose or seek treatment. Stigma is constructed communicatively, and destigmatization efforts-such as advocacy messaging-are also communicative. I employ a case study approach to describe how two mental health groups use advocacy strategies in their social media messaging to help audience members mitigate mental health concerns and challenge stigma. I found content creators use a variety of advocacy strategies in their messaging, including awareness-raising, support of policy initiatives, and the promotion of diversity and inclusivity. Although not the primary goal of these groups' messaging, advocacy strategies were important to content creators and audience members, and 80% of audience members interviewed engaged in advocacy work for the organizations. I provide a nuanced view of mental health communication advocacy strategies, make recommendations for health communication professionals, and demonstrate the need for future studies

Grassroots · Health promotion · Mental health · Political science · Psychiatry · Public health · Public relations · Social media · Gender, Feminism, and Media · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Social Media and Politics

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