The free, mobile-friendly hub addresses
creator-specific mental health challenges and supports positive
mental health narratives.
The Jed Foundation (JED) and the Mental Health Storytelling
Initiative (MHSI) of USC Annenberg, along with SHOWTIME/MTV
Entertainment Studios, are proud to announce the launch of the
Digital Storytelling Guide at VidCon 2024. This innovative, free,
mobile-friendly hub, accessible at digitalstorytellingguide.com, is
designed to support content creators in fostering positive mental
health narratives.
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the full release here:
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The Digital Storytelling Guide is a
resource designed by creators, for creators. Learn more at
digitalstorytellingguide.com (Photo: Business Wire)
“Social media is an integral part of the lives of many young
people and a place where they find community, access information,
and learn about the world around them,” said Dr. Laura
Erickson-Schroth, Chief Medical Officer of The Jed Foundation. “The
engagement between digital content creators and their audiences can
profoundly impact the well-being of both communities — how they
perceive themselves, think about mental health, and take actions
that can either support or compromise their overall well-being. The
new Digital Storytelling Guide will provide much-needed information
to countless content creators to support themselves and their
audiences while addressing pressing mental health challenges.”
Developed in collaboration with content creators and leading
experts in mental health and media and informed by the Mental
Health Media Guide, the Digital Storytelling Guide provides:
- Creator-specific mental health resources and self-care
information.
- Storytelling tools and tips for creating safe, impactful
content on topics including mental health conditions, body image,
climate anxiety, how to support friends, and major life events such
as breakups and loss.
- Information on how creators can offer resources and work with
nonprofits and experts to support their community while protecting
their own well-being.
“We know creators play a significant role in shaping the mental
health narratives of their communities. Until now, they haven’t had
a resource that directly addresses the unique challenges they
face,” said Ashley Kolaya, Lead Impact and Engagement Officer at
the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. “We believe this Guide will
equip them with the tools they need to foster safe, supportive, and
impactful mental health conversations.”
“SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios is proud to support the
development of the Digital Storytelling Guide as part of our
ongoing commitment to expanding mental health storytelling,” said
Noopur Agarwal, Vice President of Social Impact for SHOWTIME/MTV
Entertainment Studios. “We recognize the influence content creators
have on audiences and want to ensure that storytellers across all
forms of media have the resources they need to advance impactful
mental health narratives.”
VidCon is the world’s largest event for fans, creators,
executives, and brands who are passionate about digital content and
its creators, community-led media, and building diverse
communities. Attendees can learn more and explore the Digital
Storytelling Guide at two events:
Panel Event Self Care: Not Just Face Masks & Hot
Baths. VidCon attendees are invited to join the Self Care: Not
Just Face Masks & Hot Baths panel on Saturday, June 29, at 4
p.m. at the Amplify Stage. Moderated by Courtney Knowles, JED
Senior Media Advisor, the panel will draw creator self-care tips
from the Guide and feature creators Sarah Schauer, Kelly Kay, and
Boze discussing what self-care means to them, why they see it as a
priority rather than a luxury, and how they use self-care practices
to navigate their busy lives.
Expo Hall Experience Practice How to A.S.K. &
Check Out the Digital Storytelling Guide. Attendees can explore
the Digital Storytelling Guide at the A.S.K. café, located on the
Expo floor at booth 521. Visitors will receive free boba tea after
practicing the new “stop, drop, and roll” for how to help a friend
— A.S.K., which stands for Acknowledge, Support, and Keep-in-Touch.
They will also have access to the Guide’s insights on how to create
content that positively affects their audiences while safeguarding
their own mental health.
Learn more about the Digital Storytelling Guide, a resource
designed by creators, for creators.
Interviews are available with mental health and media experts
from JED, the Mental Health Storytelling Initiative, and
SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios upon request.
About The Jed Foundation JED is a nonprofit that protects
emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and
young adults. We’re partnering with high schools and colleges to
strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide
prevention programs and systems. We’re equipping teens and young
adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each
other. We’re encouraging community awareness, understanding, and
action for young adult mental health.
Connect with JED: Email | X | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube |
LinkedIn | Snapchat | Pinterest | TikTok
About Mental Health Storytelling Initiative The Mental
Health Storytelling Initiative uses the power of storytelling to
improve mental health, both for storytellers and their audiences.
MHSI, launched with support from MTV Entertainment and housed at
USC Annenberg’s Inclusion Initiative, oversees the Mental Health
Storytelling Coalition, an unprecedented multi-sector partnership
between more than 70 leading entertainment industry partners and
mental health organizations. In 2021, MHSI launched the Mental
Health Media Guide, a groundbreaking, comprehensive resource for
content creators designed to help expand positive mental health
portrayals.
About SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment
Studios & Paramount Media Networks SHOWTIME/MTV
Entertainment Studios & Paramount Media Networks is a global
network of media assets that reaches over one billion people in
more than 180 countries featuring some of the most iconic brands in
entertainment including SHOWTIME, MTV, Comedy Central and Paramount
Network among others – and, its Studios arm which produces 120+
series annually, including some of today’s biggest hits such as
Yellowstone, Yellowjackets, Emily in Paris, 1883, 1923, George
& Tammy, South Park, Tulsa King, RuPaul’s Drag Race, The
Challenge and Jersey Shore, to name a few.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240626848779/en/
Justin Barbo Director of Public Relations The Jed Foundation
(JED) justin@jedfoundation.org