Mindset is Canada’s only journalist-to-journalist guide on mental health reporting.
MINDSET
Reporting on Mental Health
Mindset, created and editorially controlled by the Canadian Journalism Forum on Violence and Trauma, is all about doing better journalism. Stories that are more factual, more complete and don't contribute to stigma. We celebrate journalism that challenges wrong and outdated assumptions about mental illness, provides factual information, and probes unfairness and systemic flaws: The kind of work we think you probably came into journalism intending to do.
The Mindset project comes in two parts. The guide itself is published both as a durable booklet and as a downloadable PDF. It is written by experienced journalists with general-assignment reporters in mind and includes best practice checklists on each topic for quick reference.
This website offers further material, including videos, podcasts, links to studies and other useful sources to help reporters going more deeply into topics or issues.
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The first installment in our new series of occasional Mindset Podcasts is now available. “Injured Minds” by acclaimed filmmaker Judy Jackson provides a comprehensive introduction and quick-reference guide. French transcript available.
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The Mindset Awards are expanding
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Media Guide-o-Matic, is a free plug-in that saves time for journalists who publish their work on the widely-used WordPress platform and helps them improve their reporting.
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Third editions of the Mindset and En-Tête guides were published on November 30, 2020
Featured Videos
Linden MacIntyre's introduction to the website - and his rallying cry.
Video montage featuring André Picard of The Globe & Mail, Karen Pauls of CBC News, and Michael Kirby of Partners for Mental Health.
What People Are Saying About Mindset
Mindset is an important new guide to improving reporting and writing about mental health. It should be within easy reach in all newsrooms.
-Toronto Star
A new standard set for reporting on mental health.
-Globe and Mail
Every journalist can benefit from the site’s excellent content. When it comes
to reporting on mental illness and suicide, Mindset offers some important
food for thought.
-Brunswick News