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Summary

Our writing checklist

  1. Be hopeful in our writing.
  2. Be universally aspirational when describing goal-setting.
  3. Define crisis-help services and provide continuous access to the Total Mental Health platform.
  4. Acknowledge the mental health complexities of clients.
  5. Use trauma-informed language that helps end mental health stigma
  6. General guidelines for inclusive content writing
  7. Show examples of techniques to increase understanding.
  8. Avoid calling out people’s existing coping behaviours.
  9. Embrace secular and cultural backgrounds.
  10. Provide additional resources and give credit so people may learn more independently.
  11. Test with people—we don’t have all the answers.
  12. Review copy to confirm examples and tone are positive.

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Learn more

The Importance of Inclusive Content DesignOpens in a new window by Jacquelyn IyamahOpens in a new window includes additional examples and framing related to more inclusive writing across the following factors:

  • Gender and sexuality
  • Race and ethnicity
  • Socioeconomic status
  • Ability
  • Culture

Read the full articleOpens in a new window.

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Additional writing guidance

GOV.UK's guide to Content design: planning, writing and managing contentOpens in a new window includes further excellent resources on topics such as how people read on the web, why it is not ideal to use FAQs, and more.

GOV.UK's content design guideOpens in a new window