Exploring Empathy and Compassion Using Digital Narratives (the Learning to Care Project): Protocol for a Multiphase...

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Research
• Digital Storytelling
• Social Marketing

Background:

• Digital stories and video testimonies are personal narratives used to raise awareness and understanding of mental illness.
• These formats aim to reduce mental illness stigma and support related services and research.
• Sharing personal experiences through digital media can benefit both the storyteller and the audience.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the efficacy of digital stories and video testimonies in eliciting empathy and compassion.
• To assess the potential of these narrative forms in reducing mental illness stigma among viewers.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach was employed, involving a review of Canadian social marketing and fundraising campaigns.
• Digital storytelling workshops were conducted for individuals to create their own stories about mental illness and recovery.
• A pilot randomized controlled trial compared the impact of marketing campaigns versus digital stories on viewers.

Main Results:

• Ethics approval was obtained in March 2021, with data collection planned over a 2-year period.
• The study will generate data on the feasibility of the design and the results of the controlled trial.
• New knowledge will be produced on effective strategies for mental health promotion and stigma reduction.

Conclusions:

• The study's findings will have practical applications for public health campaigns and organizations.
• Understanding audience responses to mental distress narratives can inform strategies to encourage help-seeking behavior.
• The research aims to enhance how individuals and society engage with stories of mental health challenges.