New Ofcom study explores how media literacy can support mental health

As Mental Health Awareness Week gets underway, Ofcom has published a study exploring the role online media literacy can play in supporting people’s mental health.

Collage of logos from organisations taking part in OfCom's mental health campaign in 2023.

As Mental Health Awareness Week gets underway, Ofcom has published a study exploring the role online media literacy can play in supporting people’s mental health.

The report highlights real-world case studies of media literacy projects and initiatives being carried out by 14 mental health services, charities and other community organisations across the UK.

Each of the initiatives is designed to help people from a particular group or community to build digital literacy and resilience skills to address a particular mental health challenge. Some of the issues tackled include body image, suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders.

During the study, Ofcom spoke to people running online support services, mental health practitioners, as well as people participating in a range of initiatives. They speak frankly about their lived experiences, the multi-faceted challenges they face, how they’ve tackled them, and what others can learn.

The key learning from this study is that good media literacy can and does support positive mental health; importantly that means knowing how to easily access help and support, as well as having the tools and confidence to navigate and manage online risks. Ofcom’s media literacy research reveals that a majority of people who use the internet have been online to support their wellbeing, and this is particularly true among younger people (aged 16 to 24).

Check out page 23 for information on Wellkit – a prototype, game-style app, built on the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) delivered by Passion4Fusion, in partnership with YouthLink Scotland.