Mindframe team presents to leaders in journalism research, practice and education
Representing Everymind’s Mindframe team, Dr Elizabeth Paton will present at the Journalism Education and Research Association of Australia (JERAA) Conference on Friday, 4 December 2020.
The annual JERAA Conference is an opportunity to learn from leaders in journalism research, practice and education. This year’s conference is hosted by RMIT University, with the theme Transformations in journalism research, education and practice, where speakers address the important role of journalism during times of crisis, including in response to COVID-19, as well as other challenges and opportunities for journalists and journalism researchers and educators.
Dr Elizabeth Paton will be presenting three papers as part of the conference.
Reducing stigma and supporting help-seeking behaviour through safe communications on alcohol and other drugs.
The first presentation will focus on reducing stigma and supporting help-seeking behaviour through safe communications on Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD). Over the last 12 months, the Mindframe team have been trialling the provision of guidelines and training to media, communications students and those who inform the media. Dr Paton will discuss preliminary data from this pilot, with particular focus on the application and impact for journalism students and educators in the tertiary setting.
Reporting in regional communities in times of crisis: A Mindframe approach
The second presentation looks at the Mindframe approach in the context of reporting in regional communities in times of crisis. The role of journalists and media outlets in regional and remote communities is crucial, especially when responding at the time of a crisis. This presentation will look at case studies from regional communities across the country and showcase how collaborative relationships between media and health professionals assist in a time of crisis, such as flooding and bushfires, and with relevance to the current pandemic.
Communicating about suicide during a global pandemic: Impact on journalists and media audiences
The third presentation, in conjunction with Dr Alex Wake of RMIT University, addresses the COVID-19 pandemic and communication about suicide during this period. With an increase in predictions of mental ill-health and suicide impacts in Australia, this has been a difficult period for journalists balancing not only personal stress about their economic livelihoods and occupational safety, but also providing up-to-date information about the pandemic with safe, sensitive and accurate reporting on associated suicide and mental health issues. This presentation addresses the guidelines, resources and individualised support available to help support those communicating about suicide during this time.
Following Dr Paton's presentations will be a session on the development and overview of the latest guidelines for media reporting on mental illness in the context of violence and crime, presented by Anna Ross, Dr Amy Morgan, Dr Alex Wake, Professor Anthony Jorm and Associate Professor Nicola Reavley.
For more information on the JERAA Conference please visit: jeraa.org.au