reporting ROB HASTINGS


through whatever’s being written about. It’s much more effective as a way of introducing people to an issue, a topic or a problem and it draws people in. It draws me in.”


Working with charities Organisations, too, are adapting to readers’ and writers’ growing demand to be drawn in. Some charities now employ a case study facilitator, who can, for example, manage the copy approval process on interviewees’ behalf. Working with journalists can also have a direct impact on health outcomes and prevention, Lorna Fraser, head of media advisory services at Samaritans, points out. “Media covering experiences of mental health [crises] and


suicide can offer valuable insight by conveying the human side of the story,” she says. “Stories of hope remind others that recovery is possible and this type of positive media coverage has been linked to falls in suicide rates.” In its 30 years’ experience with journalists, Samaritans has


developed an essential guide for journalists who write about suicide. Unfortunately, she adds, not all journalists use it. “Research shows that insensitive, sensationalist or


oversaturated coverage on the topic can lead to increases in suicide rates. Therefore it’s vital that journalists are aware of important sensitivities, like avoiding method or location.” The charity Mind also offers guidelines to journalists on


covering mental health. Rehema Figueiredo, its head of media, says the use of case studies is increasingly important given rising concerns about mental health disinformation. But, she adds, journalists need to be flexible to deal with the fact that people who volunteer to speak to them often have specific access needs. Mind recommends offering readbacks, and suggests that the journalist keep in touch about the publication date if possible. “People’s mental health can fluctuate day to day so, if someone agrees to an interview, filming or photography while they are unwell, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be comfortable with it forever,” she says. Smaller charities may wish to work with the media and, because they lack resources or experience, may need relationships built with individual journalists to be ready to do so: Welsh mental health charity Platfform is one example.


“


“Informed consent is at the heart of everything that we do,”


It’s much more effective as a way of introducing people to an issue, a topic or a problem – it draws people in


says Jen Daffin, Platfform’s director of relational practice. “One thing that we’ve been concerned about in working with journalists is being able to look after people. While it’s important to us that the voice of the person with experience is heard, it would be unhelpful of us to deliver that in our services but then to not apply that same rigour to our work with journalists.”Charities may have avoided working with journalists in the past for fear of risks that arise, warns Aga Antczak-Jones, Platfform’s head of communications, such as exploitation of service users. “I would say that we don’t want to extract stories, but share


stories with purpose,” she says. “What we are really excited about is making those connections and relationships with journalists, because we want stories to be nuanced, full and representative of what is happening with people and the world around us, and creating that trust and working relationship is key to that.”


Research and reward Lived experience is such a big topic that earlier this year the National Survivor Users Network (NSUN) ran a blog series on the topic. NSUN is running a research project into how journalists work in this area. Gabrielle Johnson, NSUN’s CEO, says for many the most


important request is for ‘fair compensation that equates to the cost of sharing such personal experiences’ – media training, networking opportunities or a donation to a particular cause. “We would encourage the media to think about how


contributors may be able to get something in return from the engagement beyond just having their voices heard,” she says. Cash for case studies will continue to be off limits for most journalists for the foreseeable. But, given the rising importance of case studies in our work, more and more of us are now open to asking interviewees what they need before we work with them.


NSUN’s The Limitations of Lived Experience series and details of its research into media engagement for individuals with experience of mental ill health, distress and trauma are at nsun.org.uk


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