Sharing Recovery Stories

Abstract

This mixed-method study assessed the relationship between the content in news articles about mental health and illness and the reading and sharing of this content by the news audience. It used Web analytics from three major Canadian news sites. Regression analysis indicated a tendency for social media users to share news about mental health and illness that was neutral in tone and that contained recovery and intervention as themes. Stories on mental health that had themes of violence and criminality, however, did not increase the article’s readership or online sharing. This research is considered in the context of the sociological process of making news, network gatekeeping, and uses and gratifications theory.

Keywords:

• audience
• gatekeeping
• mental illness
• online journalism
• social media

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Mental Health Commission of Canada, especially Mike Pietrus and Romie Christie, for ongoing support. The authors gratefully thank the peer reviewers for their feedback and suggestions as they greatly strengthened the study.