Media representation of recovery colleges in Australia: a content analysis

BackgroundRecovery Colleges (RCs) are educational hubs that offer a distinct approach to mental health and wellbeing, fostering inclusive learning opportunities. This study aimed to investigate Australian media representations of RCs and discusses how these representations may influence overall community awareness and acceptance of RCs.MethodsAustralian online and print news articles on RCs were identified using key words and extracted from two databases: (i) Google News and (ii) Factiva. Content analysis was used to summarise key characteristics of media articles and framing theory informed the identification of news frames.ResultsTwenty-three news articles were included. Most were published in local or regional news outlets. Mental health was mentioned in most articles (n = 22), with the majority contextualising RCs as an alternative approach to mental health and recovery through education and participation. The sentiment in the articles was positive, however deficit language was still evident. Human interest and responsibility framing was common.ConclusionMedia coverage highlighted a role for RCs in promoting mental wellbeing through education and participation. However, key elements of their functioning, such as co-production or the role of people with lived experience were less visible. Greater engagement with media outlets to increase awareness and understanding of the individual and community benefits of RCs are needed.