By: Fabrice Huchard, Robert Liota, Owen Rivard

In an era increasingly defined by digital connectivity, the portrayal of mental health in media holds significant sway over public perceptions and societal attitudes. This research delves into the content analysis of online news article titles discussing mental health topics, examining how these depictions have evolved before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. With 48 articles spanning from 2010 to 2024, this study scrutinizes changes in tone, stigmatizing language, subject matter, and implications, aiming to shed light on the evolving narratives surrounding mental health in media discourse.

The analysis underscores a discernible shift in media representations over time. Prior to the pandemic, discussions primarily revolved around specific mental health conditions, often adopting a neutral stance. However, the advent of COVID-19 ushered in a broader discourse, framing mental health as a societal concern. Post-2020 articles exhibited a more balanced tone, reflecting an increased awareness of the multifaceted nature of mental health challenges and the interconnectedness with broader societal factors.

Moreover, the absence of stigmatizing language and harmful implications in post-2020 articles marks a positive trajectory towards destigmatization. This shift emphasizes the importance of fostering open and inclusive dialogue surrounding mental health concerns in media representations.

While the study offers valuable insights, its scope is not without limitations. A more extensive dataset and refined search parameters could enrich the analysis, capturing a broader spectrum of tones and subject matters. While the findings from this study do allow for conclusions to be drawn, a variety of new research questions and studies can be formed off the basis of this study to further delve into the topic. Nonetheless, the findings hold significant implications for understanding and addressing mental health issues.

The findings of this analysis are primarily aimed at aiding citizens of Ontario, Canada, more specifically those struggling with mental health-related issues in the Niagara region. Nonprofits such as the United Way have already made strong efforts in aiding communities in the Niagara region, this research is intended to aid with these nonprofits and their precious efforts in these areas.

In conclusion, this research underscores the evolving nature of media portrayals of mental health and emphasizes the necessity of ongoing initiatives to promote truthful, accountable, and inclusive discourse. By critically examining media representations, stakeholders can work towards reducing stigma and fostering greater awareness and support for mental health within society. The insights gleaned from this study aim to contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding mental health, ultimately striving to aid individuals struggling with mental health challenges.

Research Report

By: Fabrice Huchard, Robert Liota, Owen Rivard

Many people struggle with their mental health, an important aspect of human life which encompasses the overall well-being of individuals, which can be very challenging, especially in an increasingly digital age. Media often shapes perceptions of mental health, including how people cope with anxiety, depression, loneliness, and other aspects of mental illness in their personal lives. This study examines the depiction of mental illness across 48 Canadian and American news article titles which have a focus on mental health, published between 2010 and 2019 compared to those published in 2020 and beyond, with the main focus on determining how these depictions are potentially different and how they can shape public perceptions on the matter. This media analysis will help in determining the perceptions of mental health, which affect those who have mental illness, and how certain stigmas are created and perpetuated through media. The findings of this study can later be used to help those with mental illness in a localized context, more specifically with Canadians and residents of the Niagara region.

Literature Review

The distancing protocols associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have provoked feelings of loneliness, stress, and anxiety among many people, this issue has great significance and there is certainly a need for further research in this particular area (Marciano et al., 2022). During the peak of COVID-19, digital media became increasingly accessed by people and has additionally led to negative impacts on the mental health of many individuals, along with increased isolation from social distancing. As highlighted in a study by Twenge and Joiner (2020), isolation associated with the COVID-19 pandemic has caused an increasing number of individuals to have depression symptoms in the US which are more than triple from pre-pandemic levels, while symptoms of anxiety in people have nearly doubled.

A study looks into the impacts of COVID-19 lockdowns on the mental health of children and adolescents, gathering data from young people who took part in COVID-19 lockdowns to then be evaluated for their mental health outcomes (Panchal et al., 2021). The data found in this evaluation is a strong source of information which explores how isolation has many negative effects on people’s mental health, especially in connection to young people. This article further suggests the notion that lockdown protocols have seemingly impacted people’s mental health, calling for further research on this topic. To investigate how social distancing and isolation have had lasting effects on the mental health of individuals through the COVID-19 pandemic, Loades et al. (2020) have created a systematic review. This review reveals the complex and nuanced impacts of extended social separation on people’s mental health. The study concludes with an emphasis on the need for focused interventions through highlighting the links between isolation, loneliness, and poor mental health outcomes.

Brooks et al. (2020) examine the psychological effects of social separation and other quarantine measures during the COVID-19 epidemic in a quick review that was published in The Lancet. In order to assess the effects of isolation on mental health, the study compiles the available data. It draws attention to how common symptoms of stress, worry, and depression are in those who are under quarantine. The authors offer suggestions for mitigating these detrimental consequences on mental health while highlighting the urgent need to address them. The study illuminates the psychological cost of extended social isolation by examining data from other studies. These findings can help shape public health policies and programs that attempt to lessen the negative effects of pandemic-related limitations on mental health. Overall, the review emphasizes how crucial it is to give mental health care the same priority with physical health measures during public health crises like COVID-19.

Hannemann, et al. (2022) discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs) is examined in “A Rapid Systematic Review.” It analyzes the stresses associated with the pandemic, including infection risk, workload, and social isolation, that cause anxiety and depression in healthcare workers. It also highlights how important psychosocial resources are in lessening these effects, such as social support and resilience. The review emphasizes how crucial it is to manage stressors and improve services in order to support the mental health of healthcare workers. It offers focused therapies and support networks to assist medical professionals in efficiently managing the mental health difficulties brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Media dependency theory, discussed by Ball-Rokeach & DeFleur (1976), will be utilized to explain how media is much more significant to individuals who depend on media for their everyday needs to be fulfilled. Media dependency theory argues that people are more likely to deeply rely on media for guidance and instruction, specifically in societies where media fulfils crucial informative tasks, with the addition of society becoming an increasingly digital age experiencing times of fast social change. With this theory in mind, recognising the several ways that media affects audience behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes, may help in understanding the structure of media dependency and how it has changed after the events of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method

The 48 articles chosen for this study were found through searches using Brock University’s Omni Library. The keywords used to find the specific articles incorporated each of the mental health aspects which serve as a main focus in this study. These different keywords include mental health, mental illness, anxiety, depression, stress, loneliness, isolation, and the option for other potential aspects of mental health such as, for example, trauma or suicide. Articles were then further sorted into two separate groupings which are categorized by date to conduct a comparative analysis. The first grouping includes articles published not later than 2019 but no earlier than 2010, and the second grouping includes articles published in 2020 and later. The date 2010 was chosen as the beginning date for the first grouping as this study has a focus on articles published electronically, excluding dates where physical media may have been more common. Additionally, search results are more limited the earlier that works have been published so it felt fitting to give the first grouping a larger timespan. After incorporating these search terms, the first grouping resulted in 163 search results and the second grouping resulted in 883 results. 48 articles were chosen for the final study, including 24 in the first grouping and 24 in the second grouping. All of the information in this study is strictly observatory and did not require any further inquiries made by the researchers to any of the authors whose works are referenced in this analysis.

The articles in this study were first coded for their demographic details (title, website title, publication title, and which grouping it falls into), secondly for the mental health topics which are mentioned (mental health, mental illness, anxiety, depression, stress, loneliness, isolation, other), and finally for the content and wording of the article titles (tone, stigmatizing language, harmful subject matter or implications). The codebook used in this analysis, including the categorization of themes, is based on the works of Atanasoza et al. (2019). The definitions of mental health conditions are provided by Mental health (2022) World Health Organization. Three coders completed all of the coding for the 48 articles, with each person completing 8 articles in the first grouping and 8 articles in the second, to ensure intercoder reliability.

Results

This media analysis examined online scholarly news articles which show themes of mental health and mental illness, with the main focus on analyzing their tone, and the presence of stigmas or harmful subject matter. Of the 48 online news articles, the first grouping includes 24 published between 2010 to 2019 and the second grouping includes 24 from between 2020 to 2024. In the first grouping, the majority (83.3%) discussed depression, shortly followed by mental health and stress (70.8%), and anxiety (62.5%), with decreasing statistics in the other categories. The majority of articles in the first grouping present neutral tones (66.6%), followed by some with negative tones (33.3%), and zero with positive tones (0%). Additionally, only some articles include harmful subject matter or implications (37.5%), and very few include stigmatizing language (25%). In the second grouping, the majority (91.6%) discussed mental health, followed by both anxiety and depression (83.3%) with decreasing statistics in the other categories. The majority of articles in the second grouping also showcase neutral tones (66.6%), while the present positive and negative tones are equal (16.6%). Additionally, there was no stigmatizing language in these articles (0%), nor was there harmful subject matter or implications present (0%).

Discussion

The results of this media analysis show notable changes in how mental health has been portrayed over time, providing insight into how media depictions of mental health are changing and how this may affect public opinion. The first grouping (2010–2019) reflected a more limited and condition-specific approach to mental health discourse, with a significant focus on certain mental health problems like stress, anxiety, and depression. This is consistent with earlier research highlighting the frequency of anxiety and depression in the media (Twenge & Joiner, 2020). On the other hand, there was a discernible rise in the conversation about mental health as a general subject in the second grouping (2020–2024), suggesting a more inclusive and holistic approach to mental health discourse. This change might be the result of a greater understanding of the relationship between many facets of mental health and the effects that occurrences like the COVID-19 pandemic have on society (Loades et al., 2020). Furthermore, the data showed that the two eras’ framings of mental health issues differed. While there was more focus on mental health as a societal issue in the second category, mental health issues were frequently portrayed more as personal issues in the first grouping. This change highlights the significance of addressing systemic variables in mental health discourse and implies an increasing knowledge of the socioeconomic determinants of mental health (Brooks et al., 2020).

All things considered, these results emphasize the need to examine media portrayals of mental health critically and the necessity of ongoing initiatives to support truthful, accountable, and inclusive dialogue on mental health concerns. Stakeholders may work to lessen stigma and promote mental health awareness and support in society by understanding how the media impacts attitudes toward mental health.

Limitations

Although this study has helped in connecting aspects of mental health, media, and COVID-19, there are many limitations to this particular media analysis. Firstly, this study could have been improved if a greater number of article titles were analyzed. The scope of this particular study is not very large, only showing a fraction of the information that is available to the public. Additionally, more sources of online news articles could have been utilized to determine if there are differences in the narrative between the actual location in which the news articles were discovered. The search results were also quite limited in terms of content, with most article titles being more informative and “neutral” in their overall tone; perhaps the keywords that were used to find each of the articles could have been tweaked to find more articles that showcase “positive” and “negative” tones. Changing these aspects in the initial search for online news articles would certainly provide different findings, or rather a greater scope of findings, for the initial research question.

Implications, Recommendations, and Conclusion

The research conducted in this study and media analysis allows for many connections between mental health, COVID-19, and the media to be created. The observational approach in this research allows for commentary on the topic in a broader fashion, being able to view the issue of mental health through a comparative perspective. While not gathering primary data or further asking others for data, this study has the perspective of viewing evidence which is made available online through a scholarly database. This study, and the data it presents, may prove useful in understanding the issue of mental health in a local context. Particularly, this study is inspired by and aimed at helping those struggling with mental health in Ontario, Canada, especially in the Niagara region. Charities such as United Way have already made tremendous efforts in aiding these communities in the Niagara region, the findings from this study will hopefully showcase useful connections between the COVID-19 pandemic, and media, which have affected the mental health of many (Community investment, 2024).

If taken further, it would be crucial that this type of research is next conducted on a larger scale to gain an even further understanding of the issue, including how it affects certain individuals and who it affects specifically. This could include gathering primary research as a beginning point rather than a purely observational research approach. Additionally, as previously mentioned, a tweaked codebook could result in a broader scope of data which could further explain the relationship between online news article titles, mental health, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

In conclusion, this research suggests that there is indeed a relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and online news articles which contain themes of mental health. Although subtle, online news article titles published after the events of COVID-19 appear to frame mental health themes in a more positive tone with less harmful subject matter or stigmatizing language. However, after examining the data found in this content analysis, it suggested that more research is to be conducted on this topic to draw more detailed claims. While this study serves as a strong starting point regarding the initial research question, a plethora of new research questions arise from the implications of its findings.

 

References

Apa Dictionary of Psychology (2020) American Psychological Association. Available at:

https://dictionary.apa.org/ (Accessed: 26 March 2024).

Atanasova, D., Koteyko, N., Brown, B., & Crawford, P. (2019). Representations of mental health and arts participation in the national and local British press, 2007–2015. Health (London, England : 1997), 23(1), 3–20. https://doi.org/10.1177/1363459317708823

Ball‐Rokeach, S. J. (1985). The Origins Of Individual Media-System Dependency. Communication Research, 12(4), 485–510. https://doi.org/10.1177/009365085012004003

Ball-Rokeach, S. J., & DeFleur, M. L. (1976). A Dependency Model of Mass-Media Effects.

Communication Research, 3(1), 3-21. https://doi.org/10.1177/009365027600300101

Brooks, Samantha K et al. “The Psychological Impact of Quarantine and How to Reduce It: Rapid Review of the Evidence.” The Lancet (British edition) 395.10227 (2020): 912–920. Web.

Community investment. United Way Niagara. (2024, February 15). https://www.unitedwayniagara.org/community-investment/

Hannemann, J., Abdalrahman, A., Erim, Y., Morawa, E., Jerg-Bretzke, L., Beschoner, P., Geiser, F., Hiebel, N., Weidner, K., Steudte-Schmiedgen, S., & Albus, C. (2022). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of medical staff considering the interplay of pandemic burden and psychosocial resources-A rapid systematic review. PLoS One, 17 (2), e0264290. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0264290

Loades ME, Chatburn E, Higson-Sweeney N, Reynolds S, Shafran R, Brigden A, Linney C,

McManus MN, Borwick C, Crawley E. Rapid Systematic Review: The Impact of Social

Isolation and Loneliness on the Mental Health of Children and Adolescents in the

Context of COVID-19. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2020

Liu, Shuyan et al. “The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the care provision for people with mental health problems.” Nervenarzt 92.6 (2021): 556–561. Web.

Marciano, L., Ostroumova, M., Schulz, P. J., & Camerini, A.-L. (2022). Digital Media use and adolescents’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Public Health, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.793868

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Panchal, U., Salazar de Pablo, G., Franco, M., Moreno, C., Parellada, M., Arango, C., & Fusar-Poli, P. (2021). The impact of covid-19 lockdown on child and Adolescent Mental Health: Systematic Review. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 32(7),1151–1177. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-021-01856-w

Twenge JM, Joiner TE. Mental distress among U.S. adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Clin Psychol. 2020 Dec;76(12):2170-2182. doi: 10.1002/jclp.23064. Epub 2020 Oct 9. PMID: 33037608; PMCID: PMC7675251.

Appendix 1

Definitions

Tone: The attitude or emotional expression that the language employed in a written or spoken work conveys is referred to as the tone. For example, tone in literary analysis can include formal, casual, amusing, or serious characteristics. (Murfin, R. C., & Ray, S. M, 2018)

Stigma: A stigma is a mark of shame or disgrace attached to a specific situation, trait, or individual. For example, stigma in the context of mental health might include prejudice, discrimination, and unfavorable views toward those who have mental illnesses. (Dictionary of Psychology, American Psychological Association, 2020.)

Media dependency theory: According to the Media Dependency Theory (Ball-Rokeach & DeFleur, 1976), people and society depend on media to provide them with information, entertainment, and social connections, which increases their dependence on it and makes them more vulnerable to its influence.

Appendix 2

Codebook

Article details			Description
Online news article title			Title of the specific online news article.
News website title			Title of the online news website in which the specific article is published.
Publication date			Date in which the article is published (DD/MM/YYYY).
Country of publication			Canada = 0, United States of America = 1
Published 2019 or earlier vs. 2020 or later			2010 to 2019 = 0, 2020 or later = 1
Variables	Tone	Stigmatizing language		Harmful subject matter or implications
Description	Positive tone = 0 Neutral tone = 1 Negative tone = 2	Absent = 0 Present = 1		Absent = 0 Present = 1
Definition	The tone which the article title uses when discussing mental illness.	Whether or not the language in which the article titles use further stigmatizes mental illness or people who have it.		If the article title contains content which is harmful, misrepresentative, or uses misleading content.
	Positive tone: Use of words that frame the content of the title in a positive light. Words that carry positive or joyful connotations. Neutral tone: Use of words that frame the content of the title in a negative light. Words that carry negative or angry connotations.	Details: Does the article title use any terms or labels offensive to people with mental illness? Does this article title depict people with mental illness as lesser than or different? Or does it use language which uplifts those with mental illness?		Details: Does the article title contain anything triggering or misleading to someone with mental illness, this includes any comments which ignore the issue or dehumanize people based on mental illness?

	Negative tone: Use of words that frame the content of the title in a neutral light. Words that are neither positive nor negative. Informative in nature, solely describing what is contained in the article.
Causes	– People may bring in personal bias or pre-conceived notions into the discussion of mental health	– – –	Lack of information Media and entertainment can reinforce stigmas People may have superstitions or pre-conceived beliefs	– –	Not being educated on what is potentially triggering to someone with mental illness Those who are intentionally harmful to those with mental illness
Consequences	-Negatively speaking on mental illness will negatively affect those who have it, and vice versa	– –	Less support and funding will go towards mental health services Stigmas inhibit people to not disclosing their conditions or seeking help	–	May further escalate mental health issues
Solutions	– Using positive tones when discussing people who suffer from mental illness to show support	– – –	Raise awareness for mental health support Stay educated on mental health topics Listen to people who reach out about their mental health concerns	–	Being socially aware and treating people with (and the topic of) mental illness with seriousness and respect

Moral evaluations	–	Many people speak negatively about people with mental illness	–		Many people and media sources stigmatize people with mental illness	–	Many people use harmful language or stereotypes
Themes				Definition: 0 = absent from article title, 1 = present in article title, for each option
Mental health				The term “mental health” describes the emotional, psychological, and social well-being of an individual, including their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It influences how people respond to stress, interact with others, and make decisions, all of which have an effect on their general quality of life.
Mental illness				A person’s thinking, emotions, behaviour, or perception can all be impacted by mental illness, which encompasses a broad spectrum of illnesses that can cause distress or hinder day-to-day functioning. These ailments, which can range in intensity and length, can include bipolar illness, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, depression, and other disorders. Changes in behaviour, emotions, and thought processes are common signs of mental illness, which can have a serious negative influence on a person’s capacity to contribute to society.
Anxiety				Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress or trepidation that is typified by emotions of unease, nervousness, or concern about possible dangers or future uncertainty.
Depression				A mental health condition known as depression is typified by enduring emotions of melancholy, hopelessness, and disinterest in once-enjoyable activities.
Stress				Stress is the body’s response to any demand or challenge, whether it’s physical, mental, or
				emotional. It triggers a “fight or flight” reaction, releasing hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, preparing the body to react to the perceived threat.
Loneliness				The personal experience of being alone or disconnected from others, even in the company of others, is known as loneliness. It may cause emotional distress and be detrimental to one’s physical and mental well-being.
Isolation				Being physically cut off from people, whether by choice or by circumstance, is referred to as isolation. It may cause feelings of loneliness, and extended seclusion may be detrimental to one’s mental and emotional health.

The tables above are inspired by Atanasova et al. (2019).

The mental health definitions are provided by Mental health (2022) World Health Organization.