Mental Health in Social and Information

Mental Health in Social and Information Environments

Research Briefs

Mental health is shaped not only by individual experiences, but also by the social and informational environments in which people live. Increasingly, individuals turn to media and online platforms to seek information, share experiences, and find community. This area of research examines how mental health is represented, discussed, and understood within these environments, and how access to information influences well-being. The research briefs in this section explore how communication, media, and digital spaces shape mental health experiences and access to support across different populations and contexts.

1. Who Is Reproductive Health Information Really For? A Look at Canadian Online Resources

Many people turn to the internet for information about pregnancy, fertility, and reproductive health but who is that information actually designed for?

In this study, we examined Canadian government and public health websites to understand how reproductive health information is presented online. We looked at whether content addressed different stages (before, during, and after pregnancy), different audiences (women and partners), and key topics like health behaviours and environmental exposures.

We found that most online resources focus heavily on women during pregnancy, with far less information for partners or for other important stages like preconception and postpartum. Environmental risks were also less frequently discussed than lifestyle behaviours.

These gaps matter, because reproductive health is shaped by both individuals and their environments, and by the people around them.

Key Takeaways

Most online reproductive health information in Canada is designed for women, especially during pregnancy.
Partners are rarely included, despite playing an important role in reproductive and family health.
Information about health behaviours (like diet or smoking) is common, but environmental risks (like chemical exposures) are often missing.
Preconception and postpartum stages receive much less attention than pregnancy.
Online health information does not always reflect the diversity of families, genders, and lived experiences.

Research Impact

This research highlights important gaps in how reproductive health information is shared online in Canada. It suggests that current approaches may unintentionally place the responsibility for healthy pregnancies primarily on women, while overlooking the role of partners and broader environments.
Improving online health promotion to be more inclusive, comprehensive, and evidence-based could better support individuals and families across all stages of reproductive life. This includes recognizing the roles of partners, addressing environmental risks, and using language that reflects diverse identities and experiences.

Student Training: This project supported the training of both a Master’s student and an undergraduate student, who were actively involved in reviewing and analyzing online health information. Through this work, they developed skills in critical appraisal, qualitative analysis, and applying a sex- and gender-based lens to public health research, as well as translating complex findings into accessible knowledge.

A manuscript describing the full findings of this study was published. Find the link to the article here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-024-19159-5

2. How Social Media Shapes What We Think About Autism

Many people turn to platforms like YouTube to learn about autism but the information they find is not always accurate or balanced.

In this study, we analyzed popular YouTube videos about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to understand how autism is portrayed and discussed online. We looked at who is sharing information, what messages are being communicated, and how viewers are engaging with the content.

We found that while some videos provide helpful and supportive information, others promote misleading or oversimplified views. The way autism is discussed online can influence public attitudes, shape expectations, and impact how individuals and families understand their own experiences.

Key Takeaways

YouTube is a major source of information about autism for the public.
Content varies widely in quality, from accurate and supportive to misleading or incomplete.
Personal stories are common and can be powerful but may not reflect the full diversity of autistic experiences.
Some videos reinforce stereotypes or simplify complex aspects of autism.
Online discussions play an important role in shaping public understanding and attitudes toward autism.

Research Impact

This research highlights the growing influence of social media on how people learn about autism. It shows that while online platforms can increase awareness and community connection, they can also spread misinformation or narrow representations.
Improving the quality and diversity of online content and helping viewers think critically about what they see can support more accurate, inclusive, and respectful understandings of autism. This is especially important for individuals, families, educators, and healthcare providers who rely on online information.

Student Training: This project supported the training of a PhD student and an undergraduate student, who contributed to analyzing video content and public engagement on social media. Through this work, they developed skills in content analysis, critical evaluation of online information, and understanding how digital environments influence health perceptions, as well as communicating research findings to broader audiences.

A manuscript describing the full findings of this study was published. Find the link to the article here: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/4/3246

3. How Canadians Expressed Stress and Coping During the Early COVID-19 Pandemic on Twitter

This study explored how Canadians described their experiences during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic using Twitter posts from March to August 2020. The goal was to understand public emotional responses to major societal changes, including lockdowns, public health restrictions, and financial disruption.

A sample of Canadian tweets was analyzed using sentiment analysis, thematic coding, and the Kübler-Ross Change Curve (KRCC), a framework that describes how people move through stages of emotional adjustment during major change (e.g., shock, denial, frustration, and adaptation).

The analysis showed that nearly half of the tweets expressed negative sentiment, most often related to government policies, financial stress, and the impacts of pandemic restrictions. Over time, emotional responses shifted from early shock and denial toward frustration, depression, and partial adaptation. However, full acceptance or “integration” of the changes was not observed within the study period.

Key Takeaways

Canadians’ Twitter posts reflected high levels of stress and emotional strain during the early pandemic period.
The most common concerns involved government policies, financial insecurity, and the effects of lockdowns and social restrictions.
Emotional responses evolved over time, moving from shock and denial toward frustration and depressive responses, with some signs of adaptation.
Social media provided a real-time window into how people were coping with rapid and uncertain societal change.
The study highlights the importance of clear communication and strong supports during large-scale public health crises.

Research Impact

This study demonstrates how social media data can be used to understand population-level emotional responses during public health emergencies. By applying a psychological change framework (KRCC) to Twitter data, the research provides insight into how individuals collectively experience and adapt to major societal disruption.
The findings can inform public health communication strategies by emphasizing the importance of timely messaging, financial and social supports, and mental health resources during crises. It also shows how digital data sources can complement traditional research methods in studying mental health and public sentiment in real time.

Student Training: This project provided research training for one PhD student and one undergraduate student, who contributed to data processing, analysis, and interpretation.

Students gained experience in social media data collection and cleaning, sentiment analysis using machine learning tools, qualitative thematic analysis of large datasets, application of psychological theory (KRCC) to real-world data, knowledge translation of research findings for public audiences

A manuscript describing the full findings of this study was published. Find the link to the article here: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/4/3197