New Digital Storytelling Guide Developed to Support Emotional Well-Being of Content Creators and Their Audiences Unveiled at VidCon

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.

“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.”

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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.”

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“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.