Mind Your Health. A corpus-assisted discourse analysis of mental health blogs in the UK and Australia.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on the importance of mental health and encouraged people to address this topic more openly. The internet has been pivotal in spreading information about coping strategies for mental health issues, with governmental and charitable organizations, private practitioners, and individuals sharing resources on their websites and social media platforms. Mental health care varies across societies, as it is shaped by a range of factors including cultural history, politics, and economy. These factors shape how mental distress, health, and well-being are understood and addressed, reflecting specific cultural practices within broader social contexts. This study conducts a corpus-assisted discourse analysis of blog posts published since the COVID-19 pandemic by two mental health associations: Mental Health UK and SANE Australia, active in distinct regions. The analysis reveals the persistent influence of work-related themes in the UK and the effort to destigmatize complex mental illnesses in Australia. It underscores the reciprocal relationship between language, society, and individual experiences, highlighting the dynamic shifts in mental health narratives due to the pandemic.