My research team and I are exploring the efficacy of social media as a knowledge translation medium for mental health information

Tess Wishart
Health Promotion Specialist and Research Assistant

Meet Tess Wishart, our Public Health Insight Community Star! Tess works in health promotion and research, specifically exploring the efficacy of social media as a knowledge translation medium for mental health information.

In this post, Tess share shares her passion for public health by providing responses to the following questions:

What does public health mean to you?

To me, public health is a collaboration of different sectors, all working together to educate and support individuals as they aim to maintain or improve their health. Simultaneously, these sectors work to reduce systemic barriers that prevent communities from reaching their optimal health. Public health is the incredible opportunity to be an advocate: a loud voice for those who are still finding theirs.

What work do you do in public health?

I am currently working in both health promotion and research, based in Ontario, Canada. My research team and I are exploring the efficacy of social media as a knowledge translation medium for mental health information. Through posting infographics on our social media pages, our research (titled The Self Appreciation Project) aims to examine the effectiveness of Instagram and Twitter in sharing mental health knowledge, resources, and reducing stigma towards adolescent non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). I also work at a local Health Unit as a Health Promotion Specialist, with a focus on maternal and child health.

What is your public health message?

COVID-19 has been a real-time, clear display of the current health and social disparities we see around the world and in our own communities. A world built on the presumption of having a safe home to stay in during isolation or access to virtual work and virtual health care has demonstrated that this is not the reality for everyone within our communities. Moving forward, we must reallocate resources and funding to build capacity within these communities as we work towards safe and equitable opportunities for all.

Connect with Tess on Linkedin

For more information on The Self Appreciation Project, please check out their social media accounts: Twitter (@theSelfAProject) and Instagram (@theselfappreciationproject)