Paid opportunities to write about mental health and wellbeing
Trying to find websites that will pay you to write about mental health can be like looking for a needle in a haystack! While there are many great sites out there, most only offer unpaid guest post opportunities. After scouring the web, I managed to find six websites (and magazines) that pay between $100 and $1000 for mental health articles.
While none of these sites are specifically psychology based, they all offer categories that allow you to write about mental health in one way or another. In this article, I’ll share websites, payment info, writer criteria, and submission links to help you get started on your pitching journey!
1. The Healthy Mummy
The Healthy Mummy offers an online community and support system for mothers. They sell weight loss plans, and dietary supplements to optimize physical and mental health.
The Healthy Mummy accepts articles about mental health, as well as health, pregnancy, food, and inspirational stories. Possible topics include postnatal depression, PMS, and pretty much any mental health issue that relates to being a mother.
Pay: $100 per story.
Writer Criteria: They are looking for mothers that want to share their own personal stories, information, and tips about motherhood.
Submission Process: Fill out the form on the ‘Share your story’ page. It’s a little unclear whether Healthy Mummy wants you to tell them the synopsis of the story within the box provided or the whole story. If in doubt, try asking them via their contact page.
Article length: The submission page doesn’t state a desired word count.
2. WellBeing
WellBeing is an Australian magazine that focuses on natural health solutions, spirituality, and real-life experiences. They offer the opportunity to pitch for their print magazine, as well as contribute to their blog.
WellBeing accepts stories about mental health and a range of other topics. Their areas of interest include natural health remedies, fitness, travel, children, nutrition, and inspiring real-life experiences.
Pay:
- AU $600-$700 for feature articles.
- AU $750 for travel articles, including photographs.
- AU $150 for real-life experience articles.
I assume this is the payment rate for articles that are accepted for the printed magazine. It’s unclear how much WellBeing pays for blog articles.
Writer Criteria: WellBeing welcome anyone from all walks of life to contribute to their magazine. Check the full list of guidelines for more information.
Submission Process: Email your submission as a Word file to the WellBeing editor at [email protected] . Include a bio (of 120 words or less) with links to your website, social media accounts, and a photo headshot of yourself.
Article length:
- Feature articles — 2000 words (approx).
- Real-life experience — 800–1000 words (approx).
3. DAME
DAME is a women-led magazine that’s dedicated to producing journalism and stories that are smart and progressive for readers who are curious, and forward-thinking.
Mental Health articles can be submitted under the Science/ Health section. Other topics include the environment, politics, entertainment, and technology.
Pay: $350–$750 depending on the length of the reported story.
Writer Criteria: Although DAME is aimed at a female audience, they don’t state that only women can contribute.
Submission Process: Review the guidelines, and complete the ‘DAME Pitch Form’. Dame states that they’re unable to respond to every form due to the volume of pitches they receive.
Article length: DAME doesn’t give a specific article length on their pitching guidelines page.
4. Listverse
Listverse is a listicle website where you can write about pretty much anything, including mental health. All you have to do is come up with an intriguing, fun, or educational listicle with a minimum of 10 points per list.
Founded in 2009, Listverse has been featured on CNN, BBC, PBS, and more. As well as paying writers for their contributions, they will also promote your blog, book, or Twitter account at the end of your article.
Pay: $100
Writer Criteria: Listverse only accepts pitches from people who are native English speakers, or who can speak at a native level. You must be based in either the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa.
Submission Process: Send your list via their ‘Submit a list’ page. Be sure to read the tips and guidelines for the best chance of being accepted.
Article length: Between 1,500–2,000 words (including the introduction).
5. Bitch Media
Bitch Media is a feminist-led pop-culture website/ magazine with around 6 million readers around the world. Their aim is to increase gender equality and bring awareness to the realities and challenges of being a female in the modern world.
Bitch Media accepts stories about mental health as well as many other topics. These include health, relationships, religion, parenting, food, politics, and science. They also accept and pay for illustrations.
Pay:
- Features — $700-$1000
- Dispatches — $350
- Culture Stories — $250-$700
Writer Criteria: Although Bitch Media is a feminist-centered magazine, I have seen articles written by male writers too. They don’t appear to discriminate between genders.
Submission Process: Submit a full draft or a 150-word summary outlining your article. However, calls for articles only happen periodically, so it’s worth checking regularly to see whether they are currently seeking submissions.
Article length:
- Features — 2,200 and 3,000 words
- Dispatches — 1,200 words (approx)
6. Wanderful
Wanderful is a female-focused travel website that has a social media following of over 70,000 followers and 37,000 email subscribers.
While they don’t have a specific section for mental health, you could write articles and practical guides about dealing with mental health issues while traveling.
Pay: $200 per article
Writer Criteria: There doesn’t seem to be any specific criteria, although all writers on their site seem to be female. Wanderlust expects you to promote your article across your own social media networks within 72 hours of publication.
Submission Process: Go to https://sheswanderful.com/write/ and scroll to the bottom of the page where you’ll find a submission form to complete.
Article length: At least 1,250 words and no longer than 3,000 words.
Supporting Writers
If you are interested in getting paid to share your mental health stories, I hope you found this list of resources useful. With an estimated 14% of the global population suffering from mental illness, there are plenty of people out there who could benefit from your personal stories, tips, and support. So do share your personal health and fitness well-being with the world, as they say, health is wealth!
If you have found any websites that pay for articles about mental health, please let me know in the comments section!
