May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to have important conversations, break down stigma, and spotlight the real impact of mental health and addiction on individuals, families, and society. And who better to help drive those conversations than the journalists covering these crucial topics year-round?
We’ve rounded up 9 standout journalists who are shaping the mental health beat—bringing fresh perspectives, investigative depth, and personal storytelling to the forefront. Whether you’re looking to follow their work, make connections, or pitch a compelling story, these are the names to know this month (and beyond!).
P.S. You can download the whole list of 30+ journalists on OnePitch by creating a free account here!
Role: Content Editor
About: Jennifer Ford is a content editor at Essence, specializing in e-commerce, beauty, and fashion. In addition to her role at Essence, she contributes as a freelance writer for multiple outlets, including Forbes, Us Weekly, and more.
Recent or Relevant Coverage: How To Mark World Mental Health Day 2024
Socials: LinkedIn, Instagram
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Role: Reporter
About: Simmone Shah is a Reporter-Researcher at TIME. She covers a diverse range of topics including general assignment news, government and politics, healthcare, and climate change, with a keen interest in social issues and the impact of technology like AI.
Recent or Relevant Coverage: Nigerian Activist Hauwa Ojeifo Wants You to Talk About Your Mental Health
Socials: X
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Role: News Director
About: As News Director of WWD, Lisa Lockwood interviews chief executive officers, retailers, chief marketing officers, creative directors and fashion designers about their businesses, current and future trends and news developments. She also interviews celebrities who are involved in the fashion world and writes feature stories. Lisa handles major breaking news stories on a daily basis and focuses on the sportswear beat. Lisa has moderated industry panels and has appeared on TV news shows discussing news developments in the fashion industry. Her articles appear on wwd.com, and frequently on Apple News and Yahoo.com. Lisa attended the University of Pennsylvania and transferred to New York University, where she received her B.A. in journalism.
Recent or Relevant Coverage: Saks Partners With the ‘Optimism Doctor’ for Mental Health Awareness Campaign
Socials: LinkedIn
Location: New York, NY
Role: Assistant Editor, Latin
About: Billboard’s Latin assistant editor, Jessica Roiz, has worked in the digital media industry since 2005—primarily as a Latin pop culture and entertainment writer. Her childhood love for music and writing have paved her career path which today not only make her an expert in the Latin music realm but also reflect in her storytelling, interviewing, reporting, video editing and social media skills. In addition to Billboard—which include some of her first cover stories on Feid and Manuel Turizo—Roiz has bylines in The Miami Herald, El Nuevo Herald, La Opinion, Huffington Post, Latin Times, MiTú, Periodico Hoy, VIX and Billboard en Español (formerly via Telemundo). A graduate from the Florida International University, a proud Nicaraguan-American, and a devoted Selena Quintanilla fan, she was named Best New Nicaraguan Journalist (2014), was on BeVisible's Top Latinx Founders in Online Media You Need To Know (2017), was nominated for two Hispanicize Tecla Awards: Best Digital Journalist and Best Entertainment and Lifestyle Content Creator (2018), and featured on many news outlets and podcasts. In 2015, she founded Latinx digital outlet PulsoPOP, which today boasts over 1.5 million collective followers on social media and is overseen by her husband and a team of aspiring journalists.
Recent or Relevant Coverage: 10 Latin Songs Raising Mental Health Awareness
Socials: LinkedIn
Location: Miami, FL
Role: Contributor
About: Dr. Cheryl Robinson is a New York-based contributor who covers leadership, focusing on the art of pivoting and career changes since 2017. She has covered how individuals can successfully pivot in their careers. She's interviewed influential leaders, including Maria Sharapova, Bobbi Brown, Diane Von Furstenberg and Kathleen Kennedy. The founder graduated with a doctoral degree in organizational leadership, where she leveraged her dissertation to dive deeper into how leaders successfully pivot personally and professionally. Additionally, she published the children's book series The Happy Habits Club, which helps kids develop their happy habits foundation. Previously, she worked in sports and entertainment, including the Super Bowl.She also writes for Woman’s World & First For Women.Follow Dr. Robinson for continued coverage of inspirational leaders across generations, how to pivot in your career successfully and the ever-changing landscape of new career options.
Recent or Relevant Coverage: For Mental Health Awareness Month, Let’s Vow To Silence The Shame
Socials: LinkedIn, Instagram
Location: Brooklyn, NY
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Role: Contributor
About: Mark Travers, Ph.D., is an American psychologist with degrees from Cornell University and the University of Colorado Boulder. He is a contributor to Psychology Today, where he explores the intersection of mental health and culture.
Recent or Relevant Coverage: Have We Become Too Aware of Mental Health?
Socials: LinkedIn
Location: New York, NY
Role: Senior Editor
About: Erin Donnelly is a senior editor and writer for Yahoo Life. She has previously written for publications including Elle.com, Refinery29, Marie Claire and many more.
Recent or Relevant Coverage: May is all about fitness, sunscreen and Mental Health Awareness. Here's your guide to a happier, healthier you.
Socials: Instagram
Location: Austin, TX
Role: Writer/Reporter
About: Cara Lynn Shultz is a writer-reporter for PEOPLE. She has written about entertainment, lifestyle, humor, and pop culture for Billboard, People, Reader's Digest, Logo TV, Stuff, Alternative Press, The Guardian UK, and Us Weekly. Cara is the author of Spellbound, Spellcaster, and The Dark World.
Recent or Relevant Coverage: Protect Your Mental Health in a Digital World: Tips from Jay Shetty and Other Wellness Podcasters (Exclusive)
Socials: Instagram
Location: New York, NY
Role: Online Culture & Travel Writer
About: Olivia is Country & Town House's Online Culture & Travel Writer. With interests across the board – especially with a sustainable angle – Olivia has written on culture, food and interiors for publications such as the Independent, Square Mile and Livingetc. When she's not at C&TH, you'll probably find her watching the latest buzzy TV show, eating at a new London restaurant, or meticulously editing her Instagram photos.
Recent or Relevant Coverage: How To Mark World Mental Health Day 2024
Socials: LinkedIn, Instagram
Location: London, UK
Don't forget: if you want to see a larger list of journalists like these one, click here to get the list for free on OnePitch!
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