Coverage of mental health on X: an analysis of Spanish newspapers (2015-2022)

Abstract

Mental health is a key social issue, and the media plays a vital role in shaping public awareness and attitudes. Social media platforms, such as X (formerly Twitter), have become important channels for disseminating information and influencing perceptions. This study explores how leading eleven Spanish online newspapers addressed mental health on X between 2015 and 2022, with a focus on language use, gender stereotypes, emotional tone, and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining statistical analysis, text mining, and machine learning techniques. These analyses draw on Goffman’s framing theory. A total of 4,049 tweets related to mental health were collected and analyzed. Linear regression and k-means clustering were applied to classify emotional content and identify patterns of dissemination. The analysis revealed that mental health terms such as “crazy” and “anorexia” were frequently used in sensationalist contexts, often linked to political figures or celebrities. Tweets expressing negative emotions (particularly fear, anger, and sadness) were the most common and tended to generate higher engagement. After the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, both the frequency of mental health-related tweets and the use of sensationalist language increased. However, there was also a notable increase in positive emotions. The findings suggest that sensationalist language, gender stereotypes, and negative emotional framing contribute to the stigmatization of mental health. Nevertheless, the post-pandemic period shows a shift toward more positive emotional content, indicating a potential change in how mental health is portrayed in media.