Recently, concerns have been raised by College members and Officers regarding our presence on X (formerly known as Twitter). These concerns were discussed at the RCPsych Council and Trustee meetings, and a paper was presented outlining the pros and cons/risks and benefits of being on the platform.
Following extensive discussion and debate, the College has decided to maintain its use of the platform, whilst a comprehensive internal review is conducted.
This review aims to evaluate the platform’s impact on our mission to serve as the voice of psychiatry and will involve active monitoring and ongoing consultation with Council.
Meanwhile, we are simultaneously undertaking a broader review of all College social media channels to inform future strategy.
Consideration to remain on X for the time being included:
- One of the College’s main communications objectives is to be the voice of psychiatry, and an important way in which we fulfil that objective is by speaking on behalf of the profession on social media channels, including X. If we withdraw from X, we will no longer be able to represent psychiatry and psychiatrists on what remains a very well-used platform. We are concerned that if the College leaves X, it's more likely that other voices that don't have the clinical expertise or evidence-based approach that the College has, will fill that void and spread inaccurate information more quickly and easily.
- Many people with lived experience, carers and patient groups continue to use X and receive information from the platform and share their experiences too. The College places a huge value on working alongside patients and carers, listening and learning, and we also co-produce mental health information for patients and carers, which we share on the channel.
- The College works hard to influence decision makers for increased investment and changes in policy, as well as to highlight inequities in the healthcare system. Those people we seek to influence – journalists, politicians, and other key stakeholders – remain on X and the channel plays an important part in our influencing work.
- In addition to the College’s main account @rcpsych – which has over 108,000 followers - we have over 40 X accounts for specific areas of our work, with audiences based on career stage, geography, specialties within psychiatry, and more. Each of these accounts has developed a following and plays a role in sharing information and learning which we believe remains useful to their audiences.
The College expects to complete its social media review shortly. Once complete, we will continue to monitor our presence on X and other social media channels on an ongoing basis, to enable us to make the best decisions for our members, patients and carers, and our many other stakeholders who want the best mental health care in the UK and around the world.