Digital mental health activism
Theme: Mental health in a digital age
Type of research (qualitative empirical, quantitative empirical, mixed-method): mixed method
Description:
In recent years, social media have allowed individuals and groups to discuss (mental) health issues and to shape mental health care, research, and policy. For example, social media discussions on neurodiversity is increasingly shaping research (Miani & Namer, 2021). The recognition of coping mechanisms such as “masking” and “stimming” in autism are increasingly recognized by mental health workers thanks to social media campaigns (#ActuallyAutistic). Yet, mental health content on social media has also drawn criticism for spreading misinformation (Yeung & Abi-Jaoude, 2022). Nevertheless, online spaces are important spaces to explore to better understand the lived experience of people living with mental health issues.
This study will be informed by a wide range of work, from feminist health research to media psychology and collective action research. The assignment is flexible and open for students to develop their own research questions. Previous students of this assignment have explored the effect of self-diagnosis content on mental health, the relationship between identity formation and digital mental health activism and the role of certain platforms in reducing mental illness stigma. New research questions can focus on certain mental health issues (e.g., depression), specific online spaces (e.g., Facebook groups) or forms of activism (e.g. content creation). The assignment may involve conducting interviews with digital mental health activists, text mining (e.g., analyzing Twitter data) or conducting a quantitative survey using scales such as the Social Media Political Participation Scale (Waeterloos et al., 2021).
Who are we looking for?
Students with interest in digital activism.
What do we offer?
Guidance and facilitated group work.