How Mental Health Content Writers Can Help You Reach Individuals Suffering from Addiction
Sarah
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that more than 20 million Americans are living with a substance use disorder. In addition, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration estimates that around 50% of people with addiction issues are also struggling with a co-occurring disorder. Too many of these people don’t get the help they need, but a mental health content writer can help you reach them.
There are many reasons someone might not get the treatment that could save their life. The brain changes caused by addiction may convince some that they don’t have a problem. Others may worry about the stigma attached to receiving treatment for substance abuse.
However, many people go untreated because they don’t know what to expect from rehab or simply don’t know where to turn for help.
High-quality content from writers who are compassionate and knowledgeable about addiction and other mental health concerns can encourage readers to investigate rehab centers more closely. Essential information written in the right tone can make a difference in whether someone chooses treatment or not.
8 Ways a Compassionate Mental Health Content Writer Can Impact Your Outreach
The skills required to be a great therapist or manage a successful rehab center do not necessarily translate to writing effective content.
Providing a valuable service isn’t all that’s necessary for getting people with addiction issues and their family members to make contact. There are thousands of substance use disorder treatment facilities across the United States. The state of California alone is home to more than 1,700. A simple Google search for “rehab facilities” shows over 107 million results.
Content writing from an experienced mental health writer affects how well your facility’s website ranks on search engine pages. Without quality writing from a professional who understands search engine optimization, your business could stay stuck on page 10 — or page 100,000,010.
Search engine optimization is an important reason to work with a mental health content writer, but increasing your ranking is just one of the many ways an experienced writer can impact your marketing.
1. Communicating Clearly, Effectively, and Empathetically to Engage Your Audience
People with substance use disorders are struggling in many ways. They may feel ashamed, defeated, and defensive. They understand that addiction is a brain disease that may eventually be fatal, but they also fear what life would be like without the substance they rely on.
Tough love and clear boundaries may be what’s needed from friends and family members, but empathy and understanding are part of what urges an individual to choose one treatment program over another. A professional mental health content writer has the experience to convey that empathy while presenting basic information clearly and effectively.
Clear, concise writing is another benefit of working with mental health writers. According to The Literacy Project, 50% of U.S. adults can’t read above an eighth-grade level. A person who has been abusing drugs or alcohol for an extended time may have developed cognitive problems that have further lowered their ability to read.
Content writers have the skills and the tools needed to create content that’s easy to read. As representatives of your brand, they can be counted on to present information in a warm, welcoming way, balancing the need to address complex topics with an approachable style. When it comes to website content, readability is accessibility.
2. Addressing Sensitive Topics
Conversations about addiction are also conversations about pain. Of course, not everyone seeking care has experienced trauma, but many have. The National Institutes of Health estimates that over 70% of substance addiction patients have been exposed to trauma of some type.
Childhood abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, and other types of trauma are difficult to write about. However, addressing these sensitive topics lets potential clients know they will find the support they need in your program.
Whether a person turned to drug use because of trauma or experienced trauma as a result of their addiction, healing from these experiences is part of the treatment process. Copywriting for therapists and rehab facilities must address these sensitive issues without judgment. A potential client may be the victim or the perpetrator of abuse — or both.
Mental health content writers know how to write about trauma without laying blame or encouraging a victim mentality. They can approach these topics with an empathetic tone that lets clients know that they are welcome and that your program is a safe environment for everyone, regardless of what they’ve done or experienced in the past.
3. Presenting Your Brand Professionally
You are in the business of helping people recover from addiction disorders. A mental health writer is in the business of providing clean, original, compelling content for rehabs. That’s what they do every day. Understanding your brand is part of that service.
Mental health and recovery writers gravitate to this writing niche because they care about people who are struggling with addiction. They are motivated to do the best possible job for your company because they genuinely want to help people get the treatment they need.
To achieve that goal, mental health writers use your brand’s established voice to create value-driven content. Even if they are not your direct employee, your content writer is part of your team. Good content is more than just a page to place a call to action on; it is part of your brand’s image.
While always acting under your direction, a professional writer can bring your content to a new level. Using the same voice across all platforms, including blogs, landing pages, and press releases, adds polish that enhances an effective content strategy.
Your brand has something unique to offer clients. That quality should be present in every piece of content you share. Especially in the mental health field, authenticity converts readers.
If you have already established a brand voice you’re happy with, a mental health content writer has the skills to match it. And if you are struggling to find a voice that truly represents your organization, working with a professional writer may be the solution.
4. Creative Writing that Engages Readers
How many blog posts about co-occurring conditions or the importance of family therapy are currently on the internet? No doubt, there are tens or even hundreds of thousands of similar posts available on the World Wide Web. Many of them are just vaguely repurposed versions of the same old content.
Writers are, by nature, creative people. They enjoy finding new ways to present material that is compelling. You don’t have time to peruse the websites of other therapists or facilities in your area, but a content writer does. That’s their job. Mental health content writers are aware of emerging content trends and know which ones are appropriate for mental health writing.
A seasoned writer knows what’s already been done time and time again. They also know what’s missing from your competitors’ content and what is working. Professional content writers are already using their creativity to increase traffic to competitor websites. Isn’t it time you harnessed their expertise for yourself?
5. Incorporating the Keywords Your Audience Is Searching For
SEO-friendly content is vital for getting your business noticed, but good SEO writing is more than stuffing a few keywords into a blog post. Choosing the right keywords, the most effective placement, and the optimal frequency is also important. However, all of this must be smoothly integrated with the natural flow of the content.
Readable, warm, and friendly writing should never be sacrificed for the sake of keywords, especially in the mental health field. When you work with an experienced mental health content writer, you get the compassionate writing style you want and the SEO-rich content you need.
Keywords are the link between the people who need addiction treatment services and the Contact Us button on your website. The keywords that will drive organic traffic to your site might not always be the most obvious ones. Sometimes, they are awkward and unexpected. Professional content writers enjoy the challenge of incorporating difficult phrases into your content seamlessly.
6. Backing Up Your Brand with High-Quality Sources
Every brand wants to establish itself as an expert in its field. Whether the topic is gardening, finances, or household repair, showing potential customers that you know what you’re talking about is essential.
Citing high-quality sources is even more important in the medical field. Listing facts and statistics without providing a source makes you look less trustworthy, not more.
In addition to improving your credibility, other benefits of using external links include:
- Improving search engine optimization
- Creating context for the topic
- Connecting your company to experts, which increases your domain authority score
- Promoting the spread of factual information about mental health
- Protecting you from claims of plagiarism
- Adding value for readers
The bottom line is this: Including external links to authoritative sources will place your content higher in search engine rankings and build trust with your audience from the start. The mental health content writing on your site will be stronger and more valuable when your content has carefully chosen resources to support the information you share.
7. Convenience
Working with mental health writers is easy and effective. You maintain control over the flow and quality of your content without the responsibilities of additional personnel.
Whether you need a handful of blogs every month or a complete content marketing package to boost your visibility, working with a professional writer will help you achieve your goals.
A content writer who understands the mental health niche will produce high-quality material at a faster rate than someone who is not experienced with substance abuse and mental wellness topics. They have already developed a working knowledge of the subject matter and are familiar with the most reliable resources.
Mental health writers also understand the need for sensitivity. You won’t need to waste time explaining which terms are outdated and which words should be avoided. They know the landscape and how to navigate it. That means you’ll get usable, engaging copy with less investment of your own time.
Providing your own content or asking employees within your organization to write now and then can make it hard to regularly update your articles and blogs. However, posting new content frequently is one more way to build your reputation and rank higher in searches.
When you work with a mental health writer, you can be confident that your content is being updated and you are staying competitive.
8. Better Productivity
Whether you are a therapist or the director of a rehab facility, you have important responsibilities to fulfill. Writing a blog or updating a landing page is probably not high on your priority list. However, a trustworthy website with current, engaging content is a priority.
Working with a professional content writer frees you to focus on your job and your passion — helping people get the life-saving treatment they need and deserve. You and your team members can take care of business while a reliable, experienced writer takes care of your content.
Are You Ready to Boost Your Marketing with the Help of a Mental Health Content Writer?
Content writing for rehabs takes a special set of writing skills. Sensitivity and compassion are essential, and so is clear writing that encourages readers to learn more.
Write Collective understands that mental healthcare providers need to stay competitive. High-quality content development from writers who understand your market and your message will help you do just that.
We share your passion for helping those with addiction and other mental health concerns. Whether you’re starting a website from scratch or updating your content to better represent your services, we offer writing packages that will fit your needs.
Our mental health writers look forward to providing you with high-quality content that allows you to reach more people who need your help. Contact Write Collective today to learn more about our services for mental health and addiction recovery centers.