Identity Writing Internship
The mission of the Identity Writing Internship is to highlight the mental and emotional health struggles of marginalized identities, cultures and communities. Student writers from across the US are invited to explore under-represented, misunderstood, or vulnerable perspectives by contributing to Supportiv’s Identity article collection (formerly Supportiv AMPLIFY).
Description
Hi! We’re Supportiv, the digital peer support network for mental health and wellness. We connect people going through similar struggles so they can support each other, and we break down complex emotional issues into understandable, practical, tactical, how-to articles.
The goal of all Supportiv’s articles is to walk readers through the validation, knowledge, and ideas they need to feel self-empowered through struggles. The Identity collection specifically seeks to explore under-represented, marginalized, or vulnerable perspectives intertwined with mental health.
We’ve created an internship for student writers who are interested in addressing identity-related mental health topics, such as: indigenous heritage, refugee status, persecuted or misunderstood identity, religious trauma, etc. Building a published writing portfolio is important for future career development, and we want to amplify the voices of folks who can speak on these topics.
Who is this internship for?
- Voices under-represented in the world of digital content, such as people of color, those of persecuted ethnic groups, those with disabilities, in the military, LGBTQIA+ folks, etc.
- College students (including recently graduated Seniors) who understand that emotional health is intricate, and who can synthesize these discussions in creative ways.
What will the internship look like?
Over the course of 6 weeks, interns will produce a comprehensive article to be published on Supportiv’s website.
- Application open from September 12, 2022 through EOD Monday, October 10, 2022.
- Interns notified by Friday, October 14, 2022.
- By appointment, an introductory Zoom meeting with Supportiv’s editorial lead will provide an overview of expectations, timeline, and other details (week of October 17, 2022)
Interns will complete 1-3 rounds of edits with editorial lead, via Zoom and email.
- Draft 1 due EOD Monday, November 28, 2022
- Draft 2 due EOD Monday, December 12, 2022
- Articles published Tuesday, January 10, 2023
Each intern will receive a $100 stipend and a byline on Supportiv.com. Backlinks to the author’s personal site also available.
Expectations:
- Your article topic must highlight a mental/emotional health struggle associated with a marginalized identity, culture, or community; it may incorporate personal narrative in a way that increases the article’s value to readers
- You will research and reference credible psychology sources
- You will solicit and incorporate firsthand expert input (recorded interview or quotes to back up or provide context for your points, actionable tips/suggestions from experts, etc – we are open to creative ideas!)
- 1500 word minimum
How to apply:
- Prepare your article pitch(es) using the template provided below
- Complete the Google Form application here: https://forms.gle/Vq7XoySpuUvLuC1t8
- Upload requested pitch materials to the Google Form
- Applicants accepted on a rolling basis
Your article pitch template:
Your article should speak to a mental health topic, within the context of marginalized identity or vulnerable group membership. Please familiarize yourself with the content topics we publish at Supportiv: Depression, Anxiety, Coping Tools, Stress Relief, Family Drama, Loneliness, etc.
Your pitch should include:
- Sample title and 3-5 main questions your article will answer
- What specific audience are you speaking to? Who is the reader you’re writing to?
- List 2-5 existing sources related to this topic
- What will your article add to the existing conversation reflected in the articles above?
- Who will you contact as featured experts for quotes, actionable advice, etc? Realistically, how will you reach them?
You may attach multiple topic pitches to your application. Each pitch should include the above elements.
