Examining the Digital Labor of Mental Health Communication on Social Media

Abstract

Mental health messaging on social media can increase awareness of the stigma surrounding mental illnesses while also creating powerful communities of support. Professionals within nonprofits work regularly with social media, yet the types of digital labor involved in social media communication practices are understudied. This poster discusses preliminary results from two qualitative case studies. The case studies examine professionals working within a mental health advocacy nonprofit as they engage in the digital labor of mental health communication design. Overall, results demonstrate that while funding may influence the content and work behind mental health messaging in different ways, professionals in this context are skilled in employing affective labor to show care for social media audiences.