5) Writing Fresh Content For 7 Cups: Guidelines and Best Practices
Through this discussion, we will discuss the basic guidelines for writing fresh content articles for 7 Cups. After understanding the general requirements to keep in mind whilst submitting your content articles for 7 Cups publication, this discussion also highlights some general writing tips to keep in mind when writing content that relates to mental health.
The following are some general guidelines to keep in mind:
Include an Article Sub-headline/header: one sentence, no punctuation at the end, this subheader goes under the title that encapsulates the piece -- (We will discuss this soon)
Article Length: 1000-2000 words.
Break up the article using Subheadings.
The article should not be previously published.
Include at least one non-copyrighted photo, at least 1200 pixels x 630 pixels in size (from Unsplash, etc). If one is not provided, it will be sourced for you!
For any facts or studies quoted, please provide sources as footnotes/listed at the end of your article.
For quotes from other professionals, consider back-linking to their professional websites, research-work links, etc. All articles will go through an editing process for optimization after submission as well!
Submit your Article as a Google Doc link to ayesha@7cups.com / Link it to the dashboard with editing access if provided a dashboard/ OR use the required form for submission as per what you have been guided on protocol.
You will be informed once your article has been published so that you can share and promote it as well! We will also share it on 7 Cups social media accounts.
When provided, please ensure that you include as many keywords, these keyword insights can also be used to guide the outline of your article.
Best Practices
Things to Do:
Make sure the article is empathetic, kind, helpful & informative (it fulfills the reader who found it), empowering. Replace mental “illness” or “disease” with “condition” or “issue” and soften any other mental health stigma language that might pop up. This helps ensure that your tone is supportive.
Think of story ideas that will be sharable in social media
Be concise
Be conversational and accessible in your writing
Back up statements with research or facts if applicable (cite sources) - try to confirm facts by ensuring at least 2 different sources mentioning them.
Include expert quotes and insights -- you can reach out to a psychologist or expert about your story and offer a quote and link to their practice for the collaboration. Make sure their title/expertise is attributed in the article
Be thorough, don’t gloss over specifics
Give the reader empathy and hope
Put yourself in the reader’s shoes: ask yourself what they need out of reading your piece and then deliver that
Try to combine personal experiences with expert insight to strengthen your piece.
Consider including friends and family members of people impacted by your topic in your audience.
For more tips on reporting mental health conditions and choosing words carefully, read the American Psychiatric Association’s article here
Other Tips:
The following are general guidelines to help find facts, help link things with 7 Cups as well as outreaching tips for personal stories and expert insight:
Always try to hyperlink some of your main sources.
Use authentic reporting websites such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization, or American Psychological Association, etc. for facts and up-to-date statistics. (Can be hyperlinked as mentioned above)
Use Google Scholar to search for relevant research work. Abstracts usually summarize research findings.
When outlining your article, consider asking yourself which information and what type of information can be added as a priority. For example, an article about mental health during the pandemic would likely report authentic global statistics and could use published research information.
When reviewing other resources that cover your topic or something close to it, always ask yourself what can help enhance that available content. How can you ensure you are providing a unique take on the topic? Consider thinking about what is missing that could be worth mentioning.
7 Cups has lots of free services, including available self-help guides, subcommunities with forums, and other areas - generally, editorial assistants at 7 Cups help backlink to these resources, but you are welcome to directly mention them if it applies, for instance, mentioning how Sharing Circles can help users cope with loneliness or the lack of support in their daily lives.
Outreaching for both personal or expert quotes can be done via social media, contact forms of blog posts, or even email considering which information is available. You are welcome to PM @SoulfullyAButterfly if you think a 7 Cups Expert can help provide you the quote or required insight.
When outreaching for personal stories, introduce yourself and 7 Cups and explain your article topic briefly, and why you think their personal experience could help. Share how you can back-link (link back) to the person’s blog or other resources if they would like that in return for sharing their quote. Ensure that you ask them if they would like their name to be disclosed, or if they would like a pseudonym. Finally, let them know you will share the final published version so they can also share it with their acquaintances.
When requiring an expert quote, use the same procedure discussed, but consider asking for the expert’s availability. Mention how the expert’s work can aid your write-up and any questions you have. Ask for the expert’s professional practice page link and if they are interested, mention how they can have a published expert profile at 7 Cups (you can CC ayesha@7cups.com if needed).
Things To Avoid:
The overuse of cliches or corny language
Making it overly formal or using references most wouldn’t understand
Using extraneous words/phrases. For example, you don’t have to write, “it’s important to…” If you’re writing it, the reader will assume it’s important. Unless, of course, it really is a surprise that this piece of advice is important - in which case say that
Forgetting to explain the “why”
Repeating the same word or phrase often (unless intentional, i.e. in an article about a mantra you might repeat the mantra several times)
Overusing exclamation points
Activity
Write a 100-word minimum paragraph on a mental health topic of your choice. Begin with a brief heading to inform the reader whether your paragraph is a general introduction or focuses on something specific. Ensure your paragraph includes factual information and mention your sources. Additionally, include a link to at least one source within the paragraph to support your claims.
This exercise will help you practice writing informative, well-researched, and engaging content while ensuring proper citation and credibility.
Bonus: Consider using previous discussions to research and use keywords.
Reply to at least one other trainee and highlight the strengths of their work as well as areas for improvement.
Dear @SoulfullyAButterfly,
Please find below is my paragraph as answer of the activity
Introduction to Chronic Pain.
Chronic pain is a type of pain that lasts more than three months. It affects the daily life of an individual, leading to a mental health problems. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2021), in 2021, about 20.9% of the US adults (51.6 million people) experienced chronic pain. Individuals with chronic pain are most likely to face multiple mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and even abuse drugs due to constant discomfort and pain management problems. Medical treatment and psychological support is essential to improve their overall health, and well being of the overall quality of life.
Resources used
Centers for disease control and prevention. (2021). Chronic Pain Among Adults. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7215a1.htm
@Yourstranger1
This answer is extremely detailed with statistics that helps to understand the data and understand the depth of the issue.
@Yourstranger1
Great job, Yourstranger1!
You’ve picked a really important topic, and your introduction does a solid job of explaining what chronic pain is and why it matters. It's really easy to understand, and you've done a fantastic job of considering you're audience. I love that you included a statistic from the CDC—it makes your piece feel well-researched and credible! Gold star for you! ⭐
A small tweak to keep in mind: “Medical treatment and psychological support is essential” should be “are essential” for better grammar. Also, instead of “leading to a mental health problems,” you could say “which can contribute to mental health conditions” or "issues" to make it flow a bit better and to soften any stigma. It's also a good idea to cite the date of when you found a source, just in case it gets changed at any point.
Overall, this is a strong start, and you have an incredibly compelling writing style—keep it up! 😊
@Yourstranger1
Well written. There is clear definition, use of statistics and knowledge on mental health.
However, there is room for some improvements. For example, "It affects the daily life of an individual, leading to a mental health problems." could be rephrased to "It affects an individual's daily life and can lead to mental health problems."
Another improvement could be more clarity. For instance, "Medical treatment and psychological support is essential to improve their overall health, and well being of the overall quality of life." could be "Medical treatment and psychological support are essential to improve both overall health and quality of life." instead.
Otherwise, the paragraph is good.
@Yourstranger1 Well done
@Yourstranger1 You’ve done a great job highlighting the prevalence of this condition and its connection to mental health challenges. The inclusion of CDC data strengthens your argument and gives your writing credibility.
Suggestions for Improvement: The phrase “abuse drugs” could be softened to reflect a more compassionate tone, something like “may turn to substance use as a coping mechanism.”
@SoulfullyAButterfly
IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON MENTAL HEALTH
Social media has changed the way we connect but its impact on mental health is widespread and very complex. Studies have shown that excessive use can have an adverse impact on mental health such as anxiety , depression and bad sleep patterns especially in teenagers. According to a study published by American Psychological Association has shown that people who spend over three hours daily on social media have a relatively higher risk of developing mental issues as compared to those who have limited use. While social media helps in building communities and support networks, sometimes it can also build a feeling of inadequacy in oneself due to others "perfect" live's. To have less negative impact on one's health, experts suggest that one should have set time limits and engage in offline activities. Balancing offline and online activities is the key to maintaining mental health.
@Grace3012
Awesome job, Grace3012! 😊 You’ve tackled such an important and relatable topic, and I really like how you balanced both the positive and negative sides of social media. The statistic from the APA adds credibility, and your suggestion about setting time limits is super practical! I love that!
A small thing to polish: “others ‘perfect’ live’s” should be “others’ ‘perfect’ lives” for correct grammar.
Overall, this is a great, well-rounded piece—keep up the good work! 👍
@Grace3012 That is why I refrain from social media, having a break from it gives me a sense of peace and helped me with anxiety since I tend to overthink a lot. Great article!
@SoulfullyAButterfly
The Impact of Childhood Trauma on Adult Mental Health
Childhood trauma greatly increases the risk of developing mental health disorders in adulthood, including depression, anxiety, and, in some cases, PTSD. According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, early adverse experiences, such as abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction, can disrupt brain development, leading to long-term emotional and behavioral difficulties. These effects can often manifest in adulthood as problems with self-esteem, trust, and emotional regulation. Research has shown that individuals with a history of childhood trauma are also more likely to experience substance use disorders and chronic health conditions. Early intervention and trauma-informed therapy can help mitigate these outcomes.
https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/complex-trauma/effects
In addition, I left feedback for Yourstranger1.
@ScorpiaD
- good reference
- could go into the "why" for behavioral difficulties
- what kinds of chronic health conditions?
I would say the unique take is in the last line!
@ScorpiaD
Lovely work, Scorpia! Your paragraph is clear, well-researched, and communicates the long-term impact of childhood trauma with empathy and precision. You've done a great job linking to a credible source (and an incredibly informative one!), your writing maintains a compassionate tone throughout, and you've done a fantastic job of summarising and putting all that information into your own words! One suggestion going forward might be to add a sentence that offers a bit of hope or empowerment for readers who may relate personally - perhaps something about healing, types of interventions the person could do, or support resources could really round this out beautifully. Keep up the great work! 👏
@ScorpiaD
This is really good, and I encourage you to continue working on this. That being said, it might be a really good idea to explore other credible resources outside of the CDC. While I recommend keeping then as a reference, google scholar has lots of great articles. Additionally, it would be helpful to know what the statistics are.
Written beautifully 💖
But one thing I would suggest you is maybe emphasize a bit more on the why as well, as it explains the effect more than the cause. Additionally this is a vast topic and there's a lot that could be covered. But you did indeed cover a lot of ground. So good job 👍
The concept of depression is about what Hippocrates felt it was in the fourth century B.C, when it comes to melancholia and swings (akin to bipolar mania and depression or low moods). Plutarch accounts for melancholia in this quote, “The festivals in honor of the gods give no pleasure to him but fill him rather with fear or a fright.” Pinel in the nineteenth century would describe it as the “image… rendered still more repulsive.” In the book, Depression: Causes and Treatment, Aaron T. Beck, M.D. and Brad A. Alford, Ph. D state that the American Psychiatric Association (APA) puts it into two categories: (1) depressive disorders with no history of manic episode, and (2) bipolar disorders, where there is such a thing as one, a manic episode.
@Cnguyen1 I've responded to your updated passage below! :)
@Cnguyen1
I could see this written in as a great introductory paragraph and I was immediately drawn in. Being that I studied psychology in undergrad, I completely forgot that depression used to be referred to as "Melancholia." You might also want to mention something along the lines of "Meloncholia was originally replaced with the term 'Depression'...in....by," and why.
Concept of Depression
The concept of depression is about what Hippocrates felt it was in the fourth century B.C, when it comes to melancholia and swings (akin to bipolar mania and depression or low moods). Plutarch accounts for melancholia in this quote, “The festivals in honor of the gods give no pleasure to him but fill him rather with fear or a fright.” Pinel in the nineteenth century would describe it as the “image… rendered still more repulsive.” In the book, Depression: Causes and Treatment, Aaron T. Beck, M.D. and Brad A. Alford, Ph. D state that the American Psychiatric Association (APA) puts it into two categories: (1) depressive disorders with no history of manic episode, and (2) bipolar disorders, where there is such a thing as one, a manic episode.
@Cnguyen1
Great job, Cnguyen1! I really appreciate how you explored the historical roots of how depression has been understood over time, by bringing in voices like Hippocrates and Beck it shows thoughtful research and depth. The inclusion of quotes adds richness and gives readers insight into how perceptions of mental health have evolved across centuries and definetely sent me down some interesting rabbit holes! For your next step, you might consider tying this history to how it shapes current understandings of depression, which could help readers connect the past to their own experiences. One small tip: reading your writing aloud can help with flow and make your message even stronger!
I also wanted to say that I'm genuinely impressed that you referenced a physical book! That’s a powerful source, but do keep in mind it can be harder for readers to follow up on or verify. You also quoted Plutarch and Pinel, but didn’t cite where those quotes came from. If they’re from the same book, it might help to introduce the source first, then share the quotes for clarity. Overall, fantastic effort - keep it up! 👏
Depression is not only gloomy; it is a critical sense of hopelessness that affects daily life. In America, in 2021 nearly 8.3% of adults had been through an episode of major depression, where women were affected more than men. Depression is not only harmful to emotional but also to physical health by increasing the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease. Depression is yet curable. Successful treatment includes psychotherapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. For individuals who wish to learn and manage depression, Harvard University offers an online course called "Understanding Depression," providing information and coping strategies.
https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2019/11/07/depression-is-like-drowning-on-dry-land-and-ive-been-going-under-undetected-for-years-185413
@healingKitty6370
Beautiful work, HealingKitty! You've packed a lot of valuable information into a concise paragraph, and I really admire how you opened with a clear, empathetic definition of depression that avoids clichés. Your use of statistics adds weight to your points, and I love that you ended with a hopeful, practical resource—it leaves the reader feeling both informed and empowered. One suggestion for improvement: consider refining a few phrases for clarity (for example, “Depression is yet curable” could be reworded to “Depression is treatable”). I’m also curious where the statistic came from, because - while it is accurate - I couldn’t locate it in the sources you linked. Lastly, the Harvard course is a great recommendation, but it does cost $30, which might be a barrier for some readers - just something to keep in mind. Overall, such a compassionate and informative read - well done! 🌟
Depression: how to deal with it?
Depression is a mental trouble who can affect all people. The people who live with depression have a lot of negatives emotions. So they have to consult a doctor to feel better. This touble can also lead to sucide if the depression is not treated. To feel better, people with depression can take a medical treatment. The treatment can help to sleep and feel happier for example. The best doctor to consult when we are depressed is a psychiatrist. The people can do a therapy to find why they are feeling bad in life. The result will not be imediate but if they are patient, they will be fine.
https://www.medecindirect.fr
@patientShell1003
Thank you for your effort on this, Shell! You've chosen a very important topic, and it's clear that you're trying to offer hope and direction to anyone struggling with depression - which is such a kind and meaningful intention!
A few tips to help strengthen your writing: Watch for grammar and sentence structure - phrases like “Depression is a mental trouble who can affect all people” could be clearer as “Depression is a mental health condition that can affect anyone.” Also, words like “trouble” and “negatives emotions” could be replaced with “condition” and “difficult emotions” to make the tone softer and more aligned with mental health best practices. Finally, make sure to double-check spelling (like “sucide” should be “suicide” and “imediate” should be “immediate”). Also, a different source may have been more applicable. I love how you've emphasized the importance of seeking professional help and being patient with the process, that is so important for the reader to be aware of and it shows how supportive you are!
You’re on the right track - keep going, and don’t be afraid to revise and polish your work. Each time you do, your message becomes even more powerful. You're almost there! 💪🌟
@patientShell1003
I like your field, depression is something we meet all the time.
Time for improvement:
_I hope it could be more empathetic because the way of treatment for depression is love and connection
_Your speech is like a medical form doctor, so I think it will not be effective if we share with our depression friends
_Maybe you should put some keywords through Chat GPT, cause your topic is so popular
@patientShell1003
well done! you chose a very important topic and conveyed the message well. something you could maybe add in next time would be telling the reader some symptoms of depression and things they may experience if they had it. great job though!
The Gaze of Wellness: How Eye Tracking, Neuroscience, and Gamification are Revolutionising Mental Health Support
Introduction: The Unseen Language of the Eyes
The human eye is more than just a window to the soul; it's a dynamic gateway to understanding our cognitive processes, emotional states, and attentional focus. In the burgeoning field of mental health, new technologies are constantly emerging to offer innovative avenues for support and intervention. This article delves into the fascinating intersection of eye tracking technology, neuroscience, mental health conditions, and the powerful allure of gamification. By understanding how our brains process visual information and how subtle cues influence our engagement, we can design more effective, intuitive, and enjoyable pathways to mental wellness.
The Neuroscience of Attention and Emotion: What Eye Tracking Reveals
Eye tracking, a non-invasive methodology that measures eye movements and gaze patterns, provides direct insights into an individual's visual attention and underlying cognitive processes. In neuroscience, it serves as a powerful tool to explore how the brain allocates attention and interprets visual stimuli, revealing neural mechanisms involved in perception and decision-making. Researchers use eye tracking to correlate specific eye movement patterns with activity in particular brain regions, offering real-time data on visual processing. For instance, abnormal gaze patterns or fixations can be indicators of attentional biases often seen in certain mental health conditions, such as prolonged avoidance of specific visual stimuli in anxiety or impaired visual search in depression. This method allows us to observe the dynamic interplay between our visual system and our emotional and cognitive states, offering objective data where subjective reports may fall short.
Mental Health Conditions and Visual Biases
Many mental health conditions are characterized by distinct patterns of information processing, including how individuals attend to and interpret visual cues.
Anxiety Disorders: Individuals with anxiety often exhibit attentional biases towards threatening stimuli, meaning their eyes may disproportionately fixate on or quickly shift towards perceived threats in their environment. This hypervigilance can be objectively measured through eye tracking, revealing the neural underpinnings of anxious states.
Depression: People experiencing depression might show a reduced gaze towards positive stimuli and an increased focus on negative or neutral cues, reflecting a negativity bias in their information processing. Eye tracking can quantify this reduced engagement with positive visual input.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Differences in social gaze, such as reduced eye contact, are characteristic of ASD. Eye tracking studies in this population have provided critical insights into atypical social information processing and can even serve as a diagnostic aid or a way to monitor intervention effectiveness.
Schizophrenia: Eye movement abnormalities, including impaired smooth pursuit and saccadic eye movements, are often observed in schizophrenia, suggesting disruptions in brain circuits involved in visual attention and cognitive control.
By precisely mapping these visual biases, eye tracking not only aids in diagnosis and understanding the pathology of these conditions but also opens doors for targeted interventions.
Gamification: Engaging the Brain for Wellness
Gamification involves applying game design elements and game principles in non-game contexts to engage users and solve problems. Its success lies in tapping into intrinsic human motivators, such as achievement, social connection, and autonomy. This is where the principles of Self-Determination Theory become particularly relevant. As highlighted in content development guidelines, fostering a sense of competence, relatedness, and autonomy is crucial for sustained engagement and high-quality behavior. By embedding mental health support within gamified experiences, platforms can make the journey towards wellness more appealing and less daunting.
For example, on platforms like 7 Cups, gamification can transform passive engagement into active participation. Users could earn points, badges, or virtual currency for logging reflections, participating in supportive conversations, or completing self-help modules. The immediate feedback and sense of progression inherent in gamified systems can provide a much-needed boost of positive reinforcement, cultivating healthier habits and a sense of accomplishment.
The Synergistic Power: Eye Tracking, Neuroscience, and Gamification for Mental Health
The true innovation lies in combining these fields. Imagine gamified mental wellness applications that are enhanced and informed by eye tracking and neuroscience:
Personalised Interventions: Eye tracking data could identify individual attentional biases. A gamified app could then dynamically adjust its visual content to gently redirect attention away from negative stimuli or train focus on positive cues, providing a truly personalized intervention. For instance, in an anxiety-focused game, an eye-tracking enabled system could subtly increase the salience of calming visual elements if a user's gaze lingers too long on a stressful image.
Enhanced Engagement through Neuro-Feedback: Gamified exercises designed to improve attention or emotional regulation could provide real-time feedback based on eye movements. Users could see their "gaze score" improve as they successfully train their visual attention, leveraging neuro-feedback principles for a more immersive and effective experience.
Optimised Content Delivery: Understanding how users scan and engage with content via eye tracking can inform the design of mental health resources themselves. Content developers can ensure that crucial information, therapeutic exercises, or emotional support elements are placed in visually optimal locations, ensuring maximum impact and digestibility. This aligns with the EAT guidelines for content, which stress the importance of comprehensive yet digestible information and well-structured presentation.
Objective Progress Tracking: Beyond self-reported mood, eye tracking can offer objective metrics of improvement. For instance, a reduction in fixation duration on negative stimuli or an increase in sustained attention during therapeutic tasks could serve as quantifiable evidence of progress, bolstering motivation within a gamified framework.
Conclusion: Gaze Towards a Brighter Future
The integration of eye tracking, neuroscience, and gamification offers a compelling vision for the future of mental health support. By understanding the intricate dance between our eyes and our brains, we can design digital environments that are not only engaging and enjoyable but also precisely tailored to promote mental wellness. The goal is to create platforms where engagement is intrinsically rewarding, where progress is tangible, and where every glance can contribute to a healthier mind. This innovative approach promises to make mental health support more accessible, more effective, and ultimately, a more natural part of our digital lives. As Pedro from animal crossing would say "Don't let anyone pop your balloon, even if it's just a little deflated! Every smile is worth keeping, no matter how small." - Pedro, on protecting your joy and managing emotional dips.
@BPDBadee
Great work!
This is my activity:
The ego, according to Sigmund Freud
I am honored to have studied Freud's ego. I agree with the research that the ego is neither right nor wrong; it is based on reality and is distinct from our other natures. Reality principle is usually the unknown; it’s hurt to tell the truth. Ego strength helps us to protect ourselves, so it doesn’t mean you’re a bad person if you live in your own way. The challenges and gifts that the universe gives us often do not have clear answers, and everything is according to our ego psychology. Ego development across Freud’s psychosexual stages: "The ego considers social realities and norms, etiquette, and rules when deciding how to behave." I hope you can be happy with the things around you.
My sources:
@Minionn
That’s a thoughtful reflection. You’re blending Freud’s theory with your own interpretation of what the ego means in everyday life.
Well done!
I have send the article to "establishing a connection between sexual assault and self-harm and hallucination"