Mental Health Experts Become Editors of National Newspaper Amid Rising Crisis
By Jill Dando News
In an unprecedented move, two CEOs of mental health charities have been named as the first-ever mental health-trained editors of a national and global newspaper, the Good News Post.
This groundbreaking initiative comes at a time when mental health challenges and loneliness are skyrocketing, exacerbated by the overwhelming barrage of negative news and societal division.
The Good News Post, which launched in 2016 by Purple Sheep PR aims to combat the increasing mental health crisis by offering readers a refreshing alternative: a newspaper that boosts happiness, promotes calm, and improves mental wellbeing.
The newspaper is believed to be the first of its kind in the world, powered by an expanding army of positive journalists worldwide, and designed specifically to spread positivity and provide practical mental health advice.
As part of this initiative, Wendy Griffin, CEO of Wellspring, and Dawn Carey, CEO of In Charley’s Memory, have taken on the role of consultant editors.
Both leaders, deeply embedded in mental health advocacy, will oversee the editorial direction of the paper, vetting stories and cultivating a culture of positive journalism to uplift readers.
The Good News Post now aims to take good news ‘newsrooms’ into hundreds of schools to teach positive mindsets and tips of story writing.
Wendy Griffin, based in Nailsea near Bristol, UK explained the importance of this new venture:
“We are passionate about helping people with their mental wellbeing. This newspaper is a fusion of good news and tips for improving mental health, aimed at bringing communities together.”
Dawn Carey, whose charity In Charley’s Memory was founded after the tragic death of 18-year-old Charley Marks ten years ago in Somerset, shared her sense of urgency: “Enough is enough. We need a new style of news for generations who are struggling with loneliness and mental health. The Good News Post is a timely response to this crisis.”
A Newspaper for a New Age of Wellbeing
The rise of mental health issues in recent years has been staggering. With one in four people in the UK experiencing mental health problems, and loneliness becoming a modern epidemic, the need for a different kind of media has never been clearer.
The Good News Post seeks to be a solution, offering readers a daily dose of positivity while also providing actionable advice on how to improve their mental health.
Dawn Carey emphasized the crucial role of the paper in combating today’s relentless flood of bad news: “In a world where negative news bombards us through phones and gadgets, this newspaper combines news and happiness.
“It’s not just about what’s happening, but about how we can find joy, calm, and mindfulness in the midst of it.”
Readers who visit the digital newspaper can easily access links to partner organizations that offer support for a wide range of mental health concerns, making it a one-stop-shop for mental wellbeing.
As Dawn puts it, “It is a newspaper to boost the minds of people—simply, news that’s good for you.”
Building an Army of Positive Journalists
The newspaper also serves as a platform for hundreds of young people who are part of Jill Dando News, a program that trains students aged 8 to 18 to become positive, kind-hearted journalists.
Inspired by the late journalist Jill Dando, the initiative aims to equip the next generation of reporters with the skills and mindset to spread hope and inspiration through their writing.
Since its inception in 2017, and the seeds of the project sowed in Priory School in 2011, Jill Dando News has introduced thousands of students across the UK and the world to the legacy of Jill Dando, who was tragically murdered in 1999.
The program’s mission is to empower young people to find and share uplifting stories, transforming the future of journalism into one that prioritises compassion and hope.
Reporters from the Jill Dando News Centre are trained by leading professionals, including Jill’s brother Nigel Dando and BBC presenter Fiona Bruce, to embody the same values that Jill represented: humility, positivity, and a belief that anything is possible.
These young journalists are now contributing to the Good News Post, ensuring that the paper’s mission of spreading positivity will continue for generations to come.
A New Dawn for Mental Health in the Media
The partnership between the Good News Post and mental health charities like Wellspring and In Charley’s Memory represents a seismic shift in how media outlets approach news. By merging journalism with mental health expertise, the paper is not just reporting on the world—it’s helping to heal it.
Wendy Griffin and Dawn Carey’s leadership marks a new era in media, one that prioritizes the mental wellbeing of its readers. In a world fraught with anxiety, negativity, and division, the Good News Post stands as a beacon of hope, offering a new style of news designed to lift spirits and foster a sense of community.
As Dawn says, “We will cover a lot of news, but it will always have a positive slant. The goal is to inspire, to calm, and to remind people to cherish the moment they’re in.”
At a time when mental health crises are at an all-time high, this newspaper is a vital tool for navigating the challenges of the modern world—proof that the news can do more than inform; it can uplift and heal.
For more stories and a dose of positivity, visit Good News Post.
