''Welcome to the Crisis Communication Simulation!''
In this activity, you’ll take on the role of a key organization located in ''Chicago, Illinois'' that is responsible for informing the public during a developing public health emergency.
The public health emergency in this scenario is a ''surge in opioid overdoses''.
Your goal is to craft clear, effective, and empathetic messages that help guide your community through the crisis.
Start by clicking the link for your assigned organization. This will take you to information specific to your organization, along with a simulated briefing and background memo to guide your emergency messages:
[[Community-Based Nonprofit]]
[[Municipal Public Health Department]]
[[State-Level Health Agency]]
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<img src=https://mypublichealthdirect.indiana.edu/ai-simulation-project/images/quickfacts-chicago.png>
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Your team is part of the ''Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH)'', the municipal agency responsible for promoting and protecting the health of nearly 2.7 million residents across the city.
CDPH provides services such as disease prevention, harm reduction, vaccination campaigns, and emergency preparedness.
In this crisis, CDPH is leading the city’s response to the surge in fentanyl-related overdoses by coordinating with hospitals, first responders, and community organizations to distribute naloxone, share overdose prevention guidance, and monitor real-time data.
Because Chicago is a large, diverse urban center, your messaging must reach residents across multiple neighborhoods and languages, while maintaining empathy and credibility in addressing a sensitive public health emergency.
[[Enter CDC Briefing]] <style> img {
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Your team is part of ''Chicago Recovery Alliance (CRA)'', a community-based nonprofit serving residents across Chicago with harm reduction services.
CRA provides mobile outreach, free naloxone distribution, and fentanyl test strips, with a focus on meeting people where they are. You work closely with neighborhood organizations, shelters, and faith-based groups to ensure vulnerable populations have access to lifesaving resources.
During crises, your organization helps ensure that clear, stigma-free health messaging reaches those most affected by the opioid epidemic.
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Your team is part of the ''Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)'', the statewide agency responsible for protecting the health of more than 12 million Illinois residents by overseeing disease prevention, health promotion, and emergency preparedness efforts across the state.
In this crisis, IDPH has been called on to support Chicago by coordinating naloxone distribution, providing public guidance, and reinforcing statewide messaging about overdose prevention.
Many urban neighborhoods affected by this surge face systemic challenges, including poverty, stigma, and limited access to treatment — making clear, compassionate communication especially critical.
[[Enter CDC Briefing]] Play the video below to view the CDC briefing.
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Once you have watched the briefing, download and read <a href="https://mypublichealthdirect.indiana.edu/ai-simulation-project/documents/cdc-emergency-briefing-memo-chicago.pdf" target="_blank">the CDC's memo</a> for more information on the health emergency.
When you are ready to continue, click the link below:
[[Write Your First Message]]Now it’s time to write your organization's first message to the community.
You must create ''one social media post'' that alerts residents to the public health risks caused by the opioid overdose/fentanyl contamination and directs them toward immediate, actionable steps to stay safe.
Choose ''1–2 specific actions ''residents should take based on the briefing and/or the memo. (text-style:"underline")[On your worksheet, list these actions and explain why your team feels these actions are the most urgent to promote.]
''Message Writing Guidelines''
1. Your message should represent your assigned community group (i.e., the non-profit, state, or municipal organization you were assigned).
2. Choose a social media platform for your message. You can post either on X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.
* Whichever you choose, ensure that you tailor the style and content of your message accordingly.
3. Once your group has chosen a social media platform, click on its name below to view tips for creating an effective post:
* [[X/Twitter]]
* [[Facebook]]
* [[Instagram]]
* [[TikTok]]
''Guidelines for an X/Twitter Post''
* Keep it short and direct — aim for 280 characters or less.
* Use hashtags to help residents find information.
* Tag official agencies or partners when possible.
* Include a link for more information.
[[Continue with Instructions]]''Guidelines for a Facebook Post''
* Write a slightly longer message (1–2 short paragraphs) with clear, empathetic tone.
* Use plain language that residents of all reading levels can understand.
* Highlight key resources (where to get naloxone, hotline number, local services).
* Include a brief description of a suggested visual to draw attention.
** [//Note: You do ''not'' need to actually draw it; just write a description.//]
[[Continue with Instructions]] ''Guidelines for an Instragram Post''
* Describe the visual (photo, infographic, or short video clip) you would post and how you might convey urgency through visual design: bold fonts, simple layouts, and easy-to-read designs.
** //Note: You do not need to actually draw anything.//
* Caption should be concise and supportive, highlighting 1–2 urgent actions.
* Use hashtags to reach more users.
[[Continue with Instructions]] ''Guidelines for TikTok''
* Describe a short, engaging video (30–60 seconds) you would create with a clear call to action.
* Keep the tone empathetic but urgent — balance seriousness with approachability.
* Consider music or trending audio that fits the message without trivializing it. Describe what music you would use.
[[Continue with Instructions]] ''Final Thoughts:''
<img src="https://mypublichealthdirect.indiana.edu/ai-simulation-project/images/cerc-principles.png" alt="6 CERC Principles: Be first, be right, be credible, express empathy, promote action, show respect" style="float:right;" width="250" height="auto">
No matter which platform your team chooses, your message should:
* Use plain, empathetic language rooted in Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) principles.
* Emphasize safety, credibility, and clarity.
* Highlight key actions the public should take.
* Reinforce trusted sources and discourage misinformation.
When your team is confident in the message you’ve crafted, click the link below to simulate its release to the public:
[[Release Your Message!]] Let's release your message to the public and see how they respond!
First, <a href="https://chatgpt.com/g/g-6888cff537ac8191a5d4265a80e8e798-b250-ph-ip-communication-course-policy-assistant" target="_blank">open ChatGPT</a> (link should open in a new window).
Next, in the ChatGPT input box, paste the following prompt (//paste everything inside of the blue dashed lines//). Be sure to fill in your organization's name, the social media platform you wrote the message for, and your message.
After you have received community reactions, (text-style:"underline")[paste the reactions in your team's worksheet].
Then, return to this page and click the 'Analyze Your Responses' link below to continue the simulation.
''Prompt:''
(b4r:"dashed","none")+(b4r-colour:navy,navy,navy,white)[You are a community of residents in Chicago, Illinois, responding to this public health message released by ''[NAME OF ORGANIZATION]'' during an opioid overdosing/fentanyl contamination emergency on the platform ''[SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM]''.
Please generate 10 different public responses (as if from individual social media users), including a mix of reactions such as:
• supportive agreement
• confusion or requests for clarification
• skepticism or mistrust
• personal stories or local experiences
• misinformation or rumor-sharing
• constructive criticism
Present the reactions/response types in a natural, random order, as if they were comments to the original post. Include usernames and write in the tone typical of public social media posts on this platform.
''PASTE YOUR MESSAGE HERE''
]
[[Analyze Your Responses]]Your team should carefully read and analyze the responses ChatGPT provides. Consider the tone, questions, and concerns people raise.
• Which CERC principles did your message succeed in applying? Where might it have fallen short?
• What do you feel is the most important concern or confusion to address in a follow-up message—and why?
(text-style:"underline")[Be sure to jot down the key points from your analysis on your worksheet] so you can refer to them when crafting your follow-up message.
When you are ready to continue, [[click here|Second Message]].
Now it’s time to apply what you’ve learned from your analysis.
As a team, draft a ''second social media message'' from your organization that addresses any misunderstandings, concerns, misinformation, or criticism raised in the public feedback. This message should continue to follow CERC principles, reinforce trust, and guide the public with clarity and empathy.
* Use the same social media platform as your first message to maintain consistency and realism in your communication strategy.
* Focus on showing that your organization is responsive, credible, and committed to keeping the public informed and safe.
* You ''do not'' need to submit this second message to ChatGPT—just include it as part of your worksheet/team submission.
When you have (text-style:"underline")[written your second message on your team's worksheet], [[click here to finish the simulation|Conclusion]]
You’ve now completed the Crisis Communication Simulation. Through this experience, you’ve practiced crafting public health messages under pressure, responding to community feedback, and applying CERC principles in a realistic emergency scenario.
Before you leave, please make sure to:
1. Submit your completed team worksheet on Canvas (one worksheet per team), including:
* Your original social media message
* The public reactions you received from ChatGPT
* Your team’s analysis of the responses
* Your follow-up message
2. Complete your individual reflection, responding to the provided questions about your experience, decisions, and takeaways (due Sunday at 11:59pm).
Thank you for participating—and for helping protect your (simulated) community!