Q.

It’s World Mental Health Day. In my other ‘hat’ as an organizational psychologist – working non-clinically with leaders of different stripes – I’m acutely aware of the dangers of mental health disinformation. One frequent reality check for me is the well-stocked American Psychological Association site.

What guidance does the APA offer re: promoting peer-reviewed psychological science to help support people in their day-to day-lives?

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A.

In their 2023 ‘Using Psychological Science to Understand and Fight Health Misinformation.’ the APA offer the following suggestions:

8 Key Steps In Fighting Health Misinformation
‘i.  Avoid repeating misinformation without including a correction. 👏🏽👏🏽
ii.  Collaborate with social media companies to understand and reduce the spread of harmful misinformation.
iii. Use misinformation correction strategies with tools already proven to promote healthy behaviors.
iv. Leverage trusted sources to counter misinformation and provide accurate health information.
v.  Debunk misinformation often and repeatedly using evidence-based methods.
vi. Prebunk misinformation to inoculate susceptible audiences by building skills and resilience from an early age.
vii. Demand data access and transparency from social media companies for scientific research on misinformation.
viii. Fund basic and translational research into the psychology of health misinformation, including ways to counter it.’

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The American Psychological Association Site

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www.justcurious.ca

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