Breaking the Stigma: A Journalistic Collaboration on Addressing College Mental Health Challenges in North Carolina

The Mental Health Collaborative, a project funded by the Solutions Journalism Network, brought together politicians, parents, and pundits to discuss how best to address the mental health issues affecting college campuses. Leoneda Inge recently spoke with three journalists who were involved in editing and working on stories for the collaborative, which involved nine college newsrooms in North Carolina.

Guests included Emmy Martin, Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Tar Heel and project lead for The Mental Health Collaborative, Rosegalie Cineus, Editor-in-Chief at The A&T Register at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and Emily Vespa, Managing Editor at Technician at NC State University. The project aimed to shed light on the mental health challenges faced by college students and share diverse perspectives on how to address this pressing issue.

During the discussion, the journalists shared their experiences covering mental health issues on campus and highlighted the need for more comprehensive coverage of this topic. They also discussed the importance of involving students in conversations about mental health and creating safe spaces for them to share their experiences.

The collaboration also focused on sharing coverage on mental health issues impacting students at each university. This allowed for a broader understanding of the challenges faced by college students across North Carolina and provided insights into best practices for addressing these issues. Overall, the Mental Health Collaborative was a valuable initiative that brought together stakeholders from different backgrounds to discuss an important issue affecting college campuses nationwide.