Mind Your Health. A corpus-assisted discourse analysis of mental health blogs in the UK and Australia.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on the importance
of mental health and encouraged people to address this topic more
openly. The internet has been pivotal in spreading information about
coping strategies for mental health issues, with governmental and
charitable organizations, private practitioners, and individuals sharing
resources on their websites and social media platforms. Mental health
care varies across societies, as it is shaped by a range of factors including
cultural history, politics, and economy. These factors shape how mental
distress, health, and well-being are understood and addressed, reflecting
specific cultural practices within broader social contexts. This study
conducts a corpus-assisted discourse analysis of blog posts published
since the COVID-19 pandemic by two mental health associations: Mental
Health UK and SANE Australia, active in distinct regions. The analysis
reveals the persistent influence of work-related themes in the UK and the
effort to destigmatize complex mental illnesses in Australia. It underscores
the reciprocal relationship between language, society, and individual
experiences, highlighting the dynamic shifts in mental health narratives
due to the pandemic.