Category Archives: News

Raise Your Mental Health Awareness

Raise Your Mental Health Awareness

Mental Health Awareness Month each May is a good reminder to learn more about the range of mental illnesses that people experience, and how we can promote and enable well-being for all individuals. This includes becoming familiar with more commonly discussed mental illnesses like anxiety and depression, as well as other mental health conditions such as eating disorders, and postpartum depression. It is also important to be sensitive to the words you use when you talk about and with people who are living with a mental illness. As Dr. Anton C. Bizzell, CEO of the Bizzell Group, writes in this Psychology Today article, “We must also consider how we unwittingly use terminology that adds pain to those already working hard to overcome the societal stigma of living with a mental illness.”

With the uptick in mental illnesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, now more than ever, we need to increase awareness, encourage professional diagnosis and treatment, and bring dignity and sensitivity to our discussions about mental illnesses.

READ MORE: Raise Your Mental Health Awareness

How We Can Work Together to Fight Alcoholism

How We Can Work Together to Fight Alcoholism

April is Alcohol Awareness Month. In “How We Can Work Together to Fight Alcoholism,” published online in Psychology Today, Dr. Anton C. Bizzell urges all Americans to fight the deadly epidemic of alcohol use and abuse among both adults and adolescents. He notes that one in 12 adults abuse or are dependent on alcohol and that 885,000 young people ages 12-17 have alcohol use disorder. Alcohol sales soared during the pandemic, Dr. Bizzell points out, and online happy hours may have played a role. He suggests companies host a virtual dessert party or scavenger hunt instead. Parents can set a good example for their children and can avail themselves of resources at www.StopAlcoholAbuse.gov. The long-term health risks of heavy drinking include brain and liver damage, heart disease, malnutrition, and mental health disorders, Dr. Bizzell notes.

Read more: Psychology Today

5 Tips for Developing COVID-19 Communications

5 Tips for Developing COVID-19 Communications

By: Trevis Cage and Eboni Jackson

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, communications professionals have been integrally involved in disseminating clear, accurate, and credible information vital to the public health response. COVID-19 created a global health crisis, necessitating a nimble process to respond to, evaluate, and communicate rapidly changing updates and developments. Communications professionals were tasked with keeping up with a continuous flow of new information and sharing this complex information with a broad audience.

Whether you are creating presentations, public service announcements, graphics, or reports, it is important to develop content that is clear, easy to understand, and tailored to the audience. At Bizzell, our experts recognize these challenges and developed tips to follow when developing COVID-19 communications products.

ALWAYS CREDIT YOUR SOURCE

Always credit your source clearly, especially when sharing numbers and statistical information. This not only identifies where the information originates but provides the audience with reassurance that the information being shared is accurate and trustworthy. Crediting and linking to your source also provides the audience with a resource to learn more and gain insights beyond what has been presented.

USE PLAIN LANGUAGE

Health information that includes medical jargon without explanations can be misunderstood or misinterpreted. When developing communication products, use clear, simple language and imagery, spelling out all acronyms upon first reference and providing context when necessary. It is also important to ensure graphics and other visual elements align with the topic or content. When possible, collaborate with an experienced graphic artist or health communications analyst to ensure illustrations are creative and appropriate to the topic.

CONSULT WITH AN EXPERT

Consult with an expert to review your materials and provide guidance on health literacy and appropriate language. Some topics may be technical in nature, so it is important to connect with a subject matter expert (SME) to guarantee that complex ideas are being relayed accurately and that you are providing the most clear and accessible information to the public.

INCLUDE A DISCLAIMER

Include a disclaimer at the bottom of your document. For example, a disclaimer can read, “this information is current as of…” or “please visit CDC.gov for more information.” This provides critical information on sourcing to the audience, as well as a mechanism for them to obtain updated information if applicable.

INCORPORATE LONGER REVIEW TIMES

Finally, incorporate longer review times into your timeline or schedule. Given the complexity of the topic, clients or leadership may need extra time to review your content before public distribution. Review or clearance processes may take longer than normal, so planning and accounting for this additional time helps to ensure you are prepared and avoid any delays in producing material.

While information regarding COVID-19 may continue to change, the use of these tactics will help ensure you are producing products that are clear, trustworthy, timely, and informative. Bizzell has experience developing health communications products and campaigns on various topics—including COVID-19. Learn more about Bizzell’s communications and outreach expertise HERE.

10 Tactics for Finding Happiness During Times of Isolation and Loneliness

10 Tactics for Finding Happiness During Times of Isolation and Loneliness

In a recent Real Simple feature titled “10 Tactics for Finding Happiness During Times of Isolation and Loneliness,” Dr. Anton C. Bizzell is among a group of leading experts offering some of his time-tested suggestions. Among them are making intentional changes in your home space and getting enough sleep. Similarly, he recommends regular movement, anything from simple stretching to taking a walk in your neighborhood. Dr. Bizzell also offers advice for creating a “‘happiness journal’ to notice and build moments and experiences that care for your heart.”

READ MORE: Real Simple