Tapahtuman tiedot
- 4.9.2025 | WEBINAR
- 14.00 to 16.15 CET
- Virtual workshop programme organized by GAMIAN Europe
Breaking the stigma around mental health conversations
PROGRAM
Welcome 14:00 (5 mins)
Moderator: Norman Urquia
Introductions and background 14:05 (10 mins)
Despite growing awareness of mental health, there is still significant stigma in society around conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. This can be seen in social media, which can raise awareness, but can also reflect and amplify negative stereotypes and misperceptions about major mental health conditions. Harmful language and portrayals can shape negative attitudes and influence policies, services, and everyday interactions.
Today’s workshop explores the experiences of social media and its impact on major mental health conditions (e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder) and negative depictions/stigmatising conversations of these. In the first half, we will reflect on the experiences of using social media and its negative impact on patients’ perceptions of their condition and treatment. In the second, we will consider how clinicians might address this impact and challenge negative depictions of mental health and help reduce stigma and discrimination. The questions below are a guide, and will depend on time.
PART 1: Experiences of social media and impact on major mental health 14:15 (50 mins)
1. Do you use social media for work or personal use? What platforms are most useful? (FB, X, Insta, Reddit, etc) – (Explore how clinicians interact with social media.)
2. Can social media be a useful tool for working with patients? (Explore how and in what ways)
3. Have you noticed social media platforms affecting your patients’ MH symptoms/conditions, their self-awareness and engagement with treatment? (Explore positive/negative examples and impact)
4. How would you advise patients if they have been negatively or positively affected by social media conversations or messages about their mental health condition?
BREAK 15:05 (10 mins)
PART 2: Challenging negative depictions of mental health 15:15 (55 mins)
5. Have you come across any words or phrases that seem damaging or stigmatising?
6. Have you seen positive messages or social media conversations about mental health conditions?
7. Have you ever challenged stigmatising language on social media or in real life? (Explore what approaches have been used)
8. What, in your view, can help promote more positive conversations about major mental health conditions?
Concluding thoughts and thank you for taking part 16:10 (5 mins)