HPA Behavioral Health Convention

Did you ever want to reach out to public officials to advocate for or against particular policies? Consider writing an op ed to get out important information to the public or correct some popular misconception? Worry about what to say when reporters call you, or about how to handle radio & tv interviews? This talk will introduce you to some of the possibilities of public engagement – and suggest ways to avoid common pitfalls. Topics covered can include:
How to become a news source, how to get quoted, and how to minimize the chance of being misquoted
How to write op-eds, blogs, and letters to the editor that get published
How to address different moral frameworks
How to handle print and radio interviews with journalists or talk-show hosts
Learning objectives:
Participants will be able to describe three strategies for working with the press including ways to facilitate being quoted and ways to minimize the chance of being misquoted
Participants will be able to name several features of op-eds, blogs, and letters to the editor that help them get published.
Participants will to able to discuss strategies for handling print and radio interviews with journalists or talk-show hosts.