One in five adults in America experience a mental illness and half of all lifetime cases start by 14 years old, according to the National Alliance for Mental Illness.

That means it’s very likely that journalists will interview sources with a mental health disorder or cover a story that involves mental health.

And getting it right means a more informed public that understands mental health and encourages treatment. The alternative is perpetuating stereotypes and stigma.

The following questions that reporters should consider include suggestions from The Carter Center’s resource guide for journalists covering behavioral health:

Is mental health or substance use even relevant to the story? Does it need to be included if there’s no meaningful link? What details add value and how do they provide context to the overall story?

Stories that shine a light on addiction crises or deaths at psychiatric institutions are important, but look beyond the problem to solutions that can help your audience. Is there a positive angle that isn’t all “doom and gloom”? Are you relying on tropes to drive clicks?

If someone is living with a condition, describe signs and symptoms to raise awareness and include how they sought or others can seek help.

If it works for quick-turn stories, you could also add an example of someone who overcame the issue and how. Prevention, early diagnosis and intervention matter.

Above all, avoid speculating on or connecting someone’s condition to unusual actions or behavior.

“Be mindful of any judgments you make, and try to set those judgments aside and listen,” said KUOW’s Wang.

PRO TIP: Behavioral health captures mental health and substance use disorders. The latter are diseases of the brain that drive use despite consequences. Use “substance use,” not “substance abuse” or “substance misuse.”