On the Same Wavelength

On the Same Wavelength: A Co-Designed Storytelling Initiative to Reduce Stigma Towards People Living with Complex Mental Health Issues

Stigma and discrimination disproportionately affect people living with complex mental health issues such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. This study aimed to understand how podcast-based storytelling can be utilised to reduce such stigma. After a scoping stage, a co-design study was held, where people with lived experience, healthcare professionals, and media professionals collaborated to design a new podcast, informing its focus, storyboard, and content principles. On the Same Wavelength was then produced; across six episodes, the podcast highlights how stigma affects the lives of people with lived experience. A randomised controlled trial found significant, short-term benefits of listening to the podcast on prejudicial attitudes and empathy. This presentation will overview lessons learned for future podcasts and narrative-based stigma reduction initiatives.

The webinar will take place in person and via Zoom.  Registration in advance is required:

Register to attend in person (52 Pritchatts Road - Lecture Theatre 1 (G16): Register in person 

Register to attend online (Zoom): Register for Webinar 

About the Speaker

Elise Carrotte, PhD Candidate
School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne

Elise Carrotte is a psychologist and PhD Candidate at the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, in collaboration with SANE, Australia’s leading organisation for people affected by complex mental health. Her PhD involves using podcast-based storytelling to reduce stigma against people living with complex mental health issues. She currently works in the suicide prevention team at Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health.