How we write and review

What we publish

Dear Us publishes personal stories, book information and educational resources for adults. We distinguish lived experience from general health information. A personal story describes one person's experience; it is not a diagnosis or a treatment plan for the reader.

Who checks the work

Under the standard review process, a Dear Us administrator checks each page before publication and records its approval. First-person writing is approved by the person whose name appears on it. We check factual claims against their sources and use a qualified reviewer when material includes clinical guidance or claims that require professional judgement. Those claims are not published through the standard review process while that review is outstanding.

Super administrators may publish stories and pages directly without a review or approval step. We record who published each version and when, and distinguish direct publication from a completed author or specialist review.

Pages identify their author where relevant. We show publication and meaningful update dates, and name a specialist reviewer only when that person has actually reviewed the material and agreed to be credited.

Sources and personal stories

We credit original work and link to useful sources. We obtain permission for material and personal details that need it. We do not publish private messages, identifiable support cases or another person's health story simply because we have access to them. Partner articles are attributed to their original publisher.

AI and commercial interests

AI may help prepare an outline, edit wording or check consistency. A person remains responsible for the final text. We do not use AI to invent memories, quotations, credentials or reviews, and we do not put private member or support information into public AI tools. Where AI materially helps draft a signed story, the standard review process includes the author's approval of the wording before publication.

We identify paid offers, sponsorship and relevant commercial relationships. Payment does not turn a promotional claim into an independent recommendation.

Updates and corrections

We review evergreen resources at least every six months and sooner when we learn that something has changed. Dates, prices and availability are checked when offers change. The directory follows its separate verification policy.

To flag an error, use Report a correction on the relevant page. Include its link and the detail that needs checking; please avoid sending private health information. An admin logs the report, checks the evidence and corrects or withdraws the affected content. Significant corrections receive a dated note. This reporting route is not monitored as an emergency service.