6) Ensuring Best Writing Practices
After understanding the general requirements to keep in mind whilst submitting your content articles for 7 Cups publication, this discussion highlights some general writing tips to keep in mind when writing content that relates to mental health.
Things to Do:
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Make sure the article is empathetic, kind, helpful & informative (it fulfills the reader who found it), empowering. Replace mental “illness” or “disease” with “condition” or “issue” and soften any other mental health stigma language that might pop up. This helps ensure that your tone is supportive.
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Think of story ideas that will be sharable in social media
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Be concise
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Be conversational and accessible in your writing
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Back up statements with research or facts if applicable (cite sources) - try to confirm facts by ensuring at least 2 different sources mentioning them.
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Include expert quotes and insights -- you can reach out to a psychologist or expert about your story and offer a quote and link to their practice for the collaboration. Make sure their title/expertise is attributed in the article
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Be thorough, don’t gloss over specifics
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Give the reader empathy and hope
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Put yourself in the reader’s shoes: ask yourself what they need out of reading your piece and then deliver that
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Try to combine personal experiences with expert insight to strengthen your piece.
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Consider including friends and family members of people impacted by your topic in your audience.
For more tips on reporting mental health conditions and choosing words carefully, read the American Psychiatric Association’s article here
Other Tips:
The following are general guidelines to help find facts, help link things with 7 Cups as well as outreaching tips for personal stories and expert insight:
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Always try to hyperlink some of your main sources.
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Use authentic reporting websites such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization, or American Psychological Association, etc. for facts and up-to-date statistics. (Can be hyperlinked as mentioned above)
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Use Google Scholar to search for relevant research work. Abstracts usually summarize research findings.
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When outlining your article, consider asking yourself which information and what type of information can be added as a priority. For example, an article about mental health during the pandemic would likely report authentic global statistics and could use published research information.
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When reviewing other resources that cover your topic or something close to it, always ask yourself what can help enhance that available content. How can you ensure you are providing a unique take on the topic? Consider thinking about what is missing that could be worth mentioning.
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7 Cups has lots of free services, including available self-help guides, subcommunities with forums, and other areas - generally, editorial assistants at 7 Cups help backlink to these resources, but you are welcome to directly mention them if it applies, for instance, mentioning how Sharing Circles can help users cope with loneliness or the lack of support in their daily lives.
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Outreaching for both personal or expert quotes can be done via social media, contact forms of blog posts, or even email considering which information is available. You are welcome to PM @SoulfullyAButterfly if you think a 7 Cups Expert can help provide you the quote or required insight.
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When outreaching for personal stories, introduce yourself and 7 Cups and explain your article topic briefly, and why you think their personal experience could help. Share how you can back-link (link back) to the person’s blog or other resources if they would like that in return for sharing their quote. Ensure that you ask them if they would like their name to be disclosed, or if they would like a pseudonym. Finally, let them know you will share the final published version so they can also share it with their acquaintances.
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When requiring an expert quote, use the same procedure discussed, but consider asking for the expert’s availability. Mention how the expert’s work can aid your write-up and any questions you have. Ask for the expert’s professional practice page link and if they are interested, mention how they can have a published expert profile at 7 Cups (you can CC ayesha@7cups.com if needed).
Things To Avoid:
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The overuse of cliches or corny language
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Making it overly formal or using references most wouldn’t understand
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Using extraneous words/phrases. For example, you don’t have to write, “it’s important to…” If you’re writing it, the reader will assume it’s important. Unless, of course, it really is a surprise that this piece of advice is important - in which case say that
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Forgetting to explain the “why”
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Repeating the same word or phrase often (unless intentional, i.e. in an article about a mantra you might repeat the mantra several times)
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Overusing exclamation points
Activity
Using the information you just learned, write a paragraph (minimum of 100 words) for the article topic “Coping with Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic” - as this is only a paragraph and NOT the complete article, state a brief heading which will inform the reader whether your paragraph is about a general introduction or something more specific. Ensure your paragraph contains facts. Please note that you are to mention your sources too, as well as a link to at least one source within the paragraph.
Bonus: Consider using previous discussions to research and use keywords.
Additionally, reply to at least one other student and highlight the strengths of their work as well as areas for improvement.
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This post is brought to you by the Content Development and Marketing Program, find out more information about the program here
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Coping with loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic
The insufficiency of digital contact
The distressing experience and the feelings of isolation that has plagued millions of people during the COVID-19 pandemic due to imposing of the lockdown has created a significant impact on people's lives. Spending time away from one’s family and friends in isolation has resulted in distress causing increased feelings of loneliness. Among the different coping strategies that people use to deal with loneliness, some have relied on digital contact and social media. Digital interaction amid the loss of in-person interaction is an insufficient alternative.[1] This has resulted in a vicious cycle for feelings of loneliness resulted in excessive use of social media which eventually resulted in an increase in anxiety levels. This is an area of concern and night require clinical attention.[2] If this is something that concerns you, you might want to look at different coping strategies and reach out for help which is a step away. If every person can make a commitment to reaching out to one person they are concerned might be lonely once a week, that would be a good thing.[3]
References:
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0258344
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.586222/full
@SunshineNaina
Great use of sources and you took an angle to it I wouldn't have even thought of. Love your sub headline as well!
The Statistics: 2018 and 2022
Loneliness was already considered an epidemic before the pandemic, but social distancing and mandatory isolation due to the highly contagious and infectious COVID-19 virus has increased loneliness significantly. According to research conducted by Cigna a global health organization, in 2018 about 46% of all individuals surveyed reported feelings of loneliness, in 2022 the research showed that 57% of men and 59% of women reported being lonely, which is about a 13% jump from 2018. Both studies indicated people of minority groups indicated higher levels of loneliness. Now the guidelines of the pandemic have loosened, the rates of loneliness still have not seen a return, so how can we cope with the lasting negative side effect caused by the pandemic?
@InvaderStitch
I like that this paragraph included so much data. A couple of things may improve this piece, but otherwise a very captivating read.
First, I believe this paragraph reads in a very scholarly tone. So working on readability. I also struggle with sounding overly scholarly and have been focusing on my tone. I would love your feedback on the paragraph I submitted if you have time.
Second, in the discussion activity guidelines, specifically, Things to Avoid, @SoulfullyAButterfly talked about forgetting to answer the why. I wonder if this may need further attention as I was left wondering, what increased rates are and how can we cope.
Finally, I just wanted to say I appreciated the link in the text, this pulled me into the rabbit hole and I loved the little educational journey it sent me on.
@broadfemmelovelive
I appreciate the feedback. I'm not sure I know how to write non-fiction in a non-scholarly tone thanks to the education system! As a biology major, then switching to psychology, most of my college writing was research papers, I may try to explore ways to soften my tone and make it more readable for people who prefer the less scholarly and more casual tone when they read.
The "why" didn't make it into the brief paragraph, but if I would have continued I would have added more about why it is believed that loneliness has increased, but I was trying to stay focused for the paragraph without overwhelming my reader too much. Though, definitely including the why is important when reading an article because it helps tie all of the information together and gives it a purpose for reading, thanks for that reminder as I start considering my article topic.
Chosen Article: https://www.7cups.com/experts/article/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-the-different-types
3 Top Strengths of Article
Using the DSM 5 as a source provides a sense of trust with the authors content because the DSM 5 is the authority on how to diagnose mental health conditions.
The author was very thorough, yet concise in how she described the different types of PTSD and how they differ from one another
The author also provides the reader with empathy and hope by providing resources to help when someone is experiencing symptoms related to PTSD.
EAT from Article:
Expertise: author graduated from CDM Program, is a listener on 7cups, and has spent time learning about the topic.
Authoritativeness: has completed the CDM Program and had other articles published on 7cups
Trust: using reputable sources and providing accurate information about the topic.
Accidentally posted this is the wrong thread. Too many tabs open!
@SoulfullyAButterflyLoneliness is normal but can hurt, good news is everyone experiences it at some point in their life and there are coping strategies that have helped many people. The pandemic has resulted in increased rates reported of individuals with feelings of loneliness and isolation. Although we see restrictions lift in most major cities, many people find it difficult to return to post-pandemic normals. Hajek and König uncovered that people most vulnerable to loneliness/social isolation were males, younger people, single people (divorced and widowed included), newly immigrated, those lacking extra-curricular activities, and those who avoided smoking/drinking(2022). If one is feeling lonely or socially isolated, Mia, an expert writer for 7 Cups, has some coping strategies. The article is framed for the holidays but is still relevant all year. Mia states that coping strategies such as practicing gratitude, connection, helping others in need, and distracting extra-curricular activities have helped members of the 7 Cups community when feeling solitude and loneliness. It is encouraging that this is available in a free and online capacity increasing access to support for people vulnerable to isolation. To wrap up, coping during the pandemic changed due to restrictions, and despite easing restrictions, lonely people will still benefit from adapting coping strategies embodied in the community at 7 cups.
Hajek, A., König, HH. Prevalence and correlates of loneliness, perceived and objective social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence from a representative survey in Germany. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 57, 1969–1978 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-022-02295-x
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00127-022-02295-x
Mia. (2020, December 25). Coping with Loneliness During the Holidays. 7 Cups. Retrieved January 6, 2023, from https://www.7cups.com/experts/article/coping-with-loneliness-during-the-holidays
Explanation of Paragraph
I started by checking out WordStream and curating a list of keywords for the content. After this, I read a few recent scholarly articles, searching the keywords pandemic and loneliness. I decided my paragraph's focus would lean into the audience most vulnerable to social isolation/loneliness and quoted the experts. The tone of this paragraph is to be an informative expert, including scholarly evidence that identified vulnerable populations satisfied this. I paid particular attention to the section ‘Things To Avoid’ in the Discussion notes. My unique take was acknowledging vulnerable groups and including current research content that relates not only to the topic but the community outreach that 7 Cups is doing.
@broadfemmelovelive
I really like the relatability to the reader you have in your paragraph. I think when I was reading it, the biggest critique is it feels like it packs a whole lot of info into one paragraph. I feel you started out really strong with a great introductory sentence or two. I liked the inclusion of research and how you included the minority groups, I do think that could have been expanded into it's own paragraph--if you were writing a full article and not a paragraph only). I also think that using Mia's article as a resource was a neat idea, perhaps you could have provided a hyperlink to that article for further reading. I also think that could have been its own paragraph that would make a great conclusion for an article.
Overall I think your information was great and I look forward to seeing a longer piece where you can organize your thoughts into multiple paragraphs because I think your style and info your brought to this paragraph definitely promotes expertise, authority, and trust!
Strengths: I really liked how the you acknowledged the loniness was a common feeling and provided strategies for coping that helped others. The info used was also credible as the research was conducted by Hajek and König.
Area for improvement: This is more so a personal writing style thing. But perhaps reorganizing the paragraph into 2 paragraphs so that it can include little bit a more providing more context and information about loneliness and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of loneliness.
@SoulfullyAButterfly
In addition to pandemics, loneliness can cause the same trauma to the body as COVID-19. In April 2020, 95 percent of Americans were ordered to stay home to help stop the spread of COVID-19. While social distance is a vital life-saving measure, this new state of solitude can affect people’s mental health. In fact, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline has recently seen a 300 percent increase in phone calls. (Psychology Today April 20, 2020). The article discussed how loneliness can increase the risk of mental health issues like depressive symptoms and physical health issues like insomnia. It becomes a cycle of growing issues of mental and physical wellness when our inner critic is telling us "You’re all alone." You’re so pathetic. You can’t handle this. You’re a mess. You’re so selfish, lazy, useless, out of shape, etc."
In the article, one exercise for coping with loneliness discusses writing down your inner voices in the "You" statement to separate the first-person viewpoint from that of being an observer. For example, if your inner critic says to you "I'm alone" then if you observe it you can change it to say "I have people who love me and support me."
As each of us has different circumstances and situations that can add stress and fuel a negative inner critic, facing loneliness is not an easy task. The fight against loneliness becomes less daunting and more hopeful with patience and a positive support group.
Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/compassion-matters/202004/coping-loneliness-during-pandemic
@Vivikun9
I love this! The first strength I would say is the use of the source, it is very suitable to the point that you're making! I also like the quotes to show the inner critic as it allows people to relate. Finally, I love the overall feeling of empathy. One suggestion I would say is to use a story. Great job!
@amybrit10
Thank you for the feedback! I will keep that in mind when I write my article :)
@Vivikun9 This was a great introduction paragraph! I must say, you are a phenomenal writer! Your paragraph contained quotes, sources, and facts and I can tell you put much thought into it. I am very proud of you and look forward to reading more of your writing. Great job.
@Vivikun9
I like how you Wrote statistics date by date and percentages about how much loneliness was affected by Covid-19. Areas of improvement I can say that more tips added will make it more informative.
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Coping with Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Feeling Isolated
Covid-19 has had a tremendous effect on our everyday lives. It can be a tough time, not being able to see your friends and leave the house. Feeling lonely can be common during these times. Let's discuss how we can combat this.
One way to prevent loneliness is by actively keeping in contact with your friends and family. This could be through Zoom calls; for example, my friends and I did a weekly Zoom dinner party. This helped maintain my relationships while still socially distancing.
Another way could be starting a new hobby. This can be excited and can help forget about having to be isolated. You could start reading, painting, and music. Hobbies have been shown to lower depressive symptoms (Fancourt et al., 2022).
@amybrit10
I like the headline "Feeling isolated" it gives a straightforward approach ^^
Bringing up your own experience was a good element that gives a reader an idea of how they can stay connected.
I think the only thing I would add is maybe explaining more about how taking up a new hobby helps with the depressive symptoms like what does it do or is it a way to keep the mind occupied?
overall, I love this :3
@SoulfullyAButterfly
5. How to Cope with Loneliness during the Pandemic
We, humans are social animals, and the pandemic has had a detrimental effect on the social life of us, which has led to increased loneliness among individuals of all ages. The main factors causing loneliness during the COVID‑19 pandemic are Age (in a U‑shape way), gender, quality of social contacts, low competence, socio‑economicstatus, and chronic medical conditions (Solmi et. al., 2020). The problem with loneliness is it can cause significant decrease in mental as well as physical health.
lReach out to family and friends in all possible ways like video calls, phone calls and chats, so that one might feel more connected with the outside world
lTry something new, a hobby, a club or virtual camps that can be done within the restrictions of the pandemic. Engaging oneself in different activities can help in coping with loneliness.
lShare your feelings with others, express yourself more and if needed be part of psychological support groups and communities, where you can share your emotions and experiences in a safe space without being judged.
For more information go through the detailed article.
Other References
lSolmi, Marco, Nicola Veronese, Daiana Galvano, Angela Favaro, Edoardo G. Ostinelli, Vania Noventa, Elisa Favaretto, Florina Tudor, Matilde Finessi, Jae Il Shin, and et al. 2020. Factors Associated With Loneliness: An Umbrella Review Of Observational Studies. Journal of Affective Disorders 271: 131–38
@Jish07541
Please discard this and refer to the next formatted paragraph
@SoulfullyAButterfly
How to Cope with Loneliness during the Pandemic
We, humans are social animals, and the pandemic has had a detrimental effect on the social life of us, which has led to increased loneliness among individuals of all ages. The main factors causing loneliness during the COVID‑19 pandemic are Age (in a U‑shape way), gender, quality of social contacts, low competence, socio‑economicstatus, and chronic medical conditions (Solmi et. al., 2020). The problem with loneliness is it can cause significant decrease in mental as well as physical health.
- Reach out to family and friends in all possible ways like video calls, phone calls and chats, so that one might feel more connected with the outside world
- Try something new, a hobby, a club or virtual camps that can be done within the restrictions of the pandemic. Engaging oneself in different activities can help in coping with loneliness
- Share your feelings with others, express yourself more and if needed be part of psychological support groups and communities, where you can share your emotions and experiences in a safe space without being judged.
For more information go through the detailed article.
Other References
Solmi, Marco, Nicola Veronese, Daiana Galvano, Angela Favaro, Edoardo G. Ostinelli, Vania Noventa, Elisa Favaretto, Florina Tudor, Matilde Finessi, Jae Il Shin, and et al. 2020. Factors Associated With Loneliness: An Umbrella Review Of Observational Studies. Journal of Affective Disorders 271: 131–38
@Jish07541
I love how you include and how you write citations and references by the end of your article. I have a suggestion for to put a heads up before you present your points to the audience. As example: "Here are some ways that we could try to cope with loneliness during the pandemic:" My sentence could be adjusted to make it sounds better. That's just a suggestion from me. Other than that, You have done great work with the article, Keep it up and all the best for your final article!
![_1675345226.CDM Mentor tag[10].png](http://7cupstearesources.s3.amazonaws.com/forum/img/_1675345226.CDM%20Mentor%20tag%5B10%5D.png)
@Jish07541 Hi! I really liked your information.
Here are some things I thought you did well:
- Your sources seem very credible!
- You offer information about why we might be lonely, then offer suggestions.
- You provided an extra article for those needing more information.
Improvements:
Even though your information is credible and likely true, the beginning doesn't suggest that the isolation of covid-19 might also be a cause of loneliness.
Overall, I enjoyed reading. Thank you for putting so much effort into your response!
Topic: “Coping with Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic”
Article:
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about unprecedented challenges, and one of the most significant challenges has been the feeling of loneliness. With the global lockdowns, social distancing measures, and restrictions on gatherings, people have been cut off from their social support systems and routine interactions with others. As a result, many people are experiencing feelings of isolation, sadness, and depression.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), loneliness and social isolation have been identified as significant risk factors for mental health problems, including depression and anxiety. Furthermore, a recent study by the Mental Health Foundation found that loneliness levels in the UK have increased significantly since the pandemic began, with almost half of all adults (45%) reporting feeling lonely at least sometimes, compared to just over a quarter (26%) before the pandemic.
It is crucial to address the issue of loneliness during this challenging time and to provide support to those who are struggling. This article aims to provide practical tips and resources to help individuals cope with feelings of loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sources:
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World Health Organization. (2021, January 28). Loneliness and social isolation as a major public health issue. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day/world-health-day-2021
- Mental Health Foundation. (2021, June). The Loneliness Report. Retrieved from https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/loneliness-report
@richuyulin
I am amazed by the words that you used in this short article here. The statistics and facts you put in here is also appealing for the audience to read it. If I could suggest or give feedback for your article maybe you could state what are your tips and tricks to cope with loneliness such as connecting ourselves with our loved ones, find a hobby that you enjoyed doing alone and any other tips you got in mind or maybe you found in other websites. Please make sure to put the websites links in the sources link as well if you would like to include the point into your article. Other than that, I have no comment for it as it's amazing as it is. Keep it up and all the best for your final article!
![_1675346074.CDM Mentor tag[10].png](http://7cupstearesources.s3.amazonaws.com/forum/img/_1675346074.CDM%20Mentor%20tag%5B10%5D.png)
Coping with Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Alternatives to Social Gatherings
Studies have shown that loneliness increased during the pandemic, and that having social interactions is especially important to your mental health. So, how can you avoid loneliness during the pandemic? There are some alternatives to social gatherings that might benefit you. These alternatives include but are not limited to: planning virtual gatherings, writing letters, and playing online games together. The Center for Disease Control also points out that social gatherings are possible to have safely. To keep them safe, you can have the gathering in a well-ventilated area (or outside), encourage everyone to wear masks, and keep the gathering shorter than usual.
Pai N, Vella SL. COVID-19 and loneliness: A rapid systematic review. Aust N Z J Psychiatry.
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Small public gatherings (who.int)
@VioletFields003
This was very concise yet informative and pertinent.
I would highly suggest using Grammarly to help write better sentences and punctuation.
Good information and had shown the reliable sources but the paragraph isnt concise at all like your structure is weird