Institute to host July 21 webinar on covering mental health as a public health issue

The National Press Club Journalism Institute will host a virtual conversation on how to find sources, stats, and story leads when covering mental health and substance use. 

When: Tuesday, June 21 at 12 p.m. ET

Registration is FREE and open here.

The Institute will be joined by Katie O’Connor, a senior staff writer at Psychiatric News, who will share tips and tools for covering mental health-related advocacy and public policy. 

She’ll explain the ins and outs of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the agency through which the federal government funds mental health and substance use programs — which has been in flux under the current administration. 

O’Connor will explore where to find relevant datasets for mental health reporting and offer advice for covering high-level clinical studies. She’ll also share her best tips for finding expert sources when covering public health.

O’Connor covers mental health policy and research for Psychiatric News. Previously, she reported on health and social services with the Virginia Mercury and the Richmond Times-Dispatch. She has received fellowships and awards for her long-form investigative reporting from the Virginia Press Association and the Association of Health Care Journalists.

In partnership with the Common Health Coalition, the Public Health Reporting Fellowship — now in its second year — offers training and financial support for mid-career journalists to complete reporting projects focused on the intersection of public health policy and health care delivery.