World Mental Health Day 2017: Inspiring social media posts and helpful accounts
10th October was World Mental Health Day, a day to stop and think about the importance of mental health. Mental wellbeing isn’t a given, and for some it is a struggle just to make it through the day. Sadly there is still a taboo on speaking about mental health issues and a lot of stigmatisation around the subject. Days like World Mental Health Day are important to break that taboo so we are sharing some of our favourite social media posts and accounts.
Lady Gaga made no secret of her own mental health issues and shared several Instagram posts in honour of this World Mental Health Day. She even went live on the social media website, inviting her followers to join her in meditation and/or prayer.
So our MIL prof went room-to-room to post this semi-colon sign.#WorldMentalHealthDay
Thank you, Sir Lloyd.
❤️❤️❤️— eggsy (@Terrencioooo) October 11, 2017
Project Semicolon was started in 2013 by Amy Bleuel, who had lost her father to suicide. The project is built on the belief that suicide can be prevented and aims to reduce incidents. The semicolon itself was chosen because ït represents continuance. “Authors usually use the semicolon when they choose not to end the sentence,” Bleuel explained in the post. The punctuation mark has become a symbol of hope in the community, with people going as far has having it tattooed on their bodies as a permanent reminder that they can continue their story. On the Project Semicolon website you can find resources to help you cope with a range of mental health issues and connect with people when needed.
A group therapy session in Central African Republic is helping to heal children with PTSD https://t.co/SwpbUUAqPn #WorldMentalHealthDay pic.twitter.com/oKXK0a2nb0
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) October 10, 2017
Al Jazeera shared an article about the NGO Action Against Hunger, which has trained local medical students and teachers to identify children with PTSD in the Central African Republic. The charity is now running sessions to help these children begin their healing process and deal with symptoms of PTSD, such as developmental disorders, night terrors and bedwetting.
Showing emotion isn’t a weakness, it’s a strength. #WorldMentalHealthDay pic.twitter.com/N2b7TbXDDu
— Nev Schulman (@NevSchulman) October 11, 2017
Nev Schulman, best known for his documentary Catfish and the MTV series of the same name, shared a short video in support of HeForShe about mental health and gender roles. The Samaritans Suicide Statistics Report 2017 showed that male suicide rates compared to female suicide rates in England are three times higher. Part of the reason so many men are at risk of suicide can be found in traditional gender roles. In the video Nev explains that boys are often told that men don’t cry, and many men do not feel comfortable talking about their feelings or seeking professional help. The video calls for men to open up about their feelings instead of bottling up negative emotions in an attempt to reduce these disturbing rates.
Britain’s own David Harewood shared his own story, having been sectioned in his 20s he is now known for his roles in Homeland and Supergirl. He wants to inspire others to speak out about their problems and proves that poor mental health doesn’t have to stand in the way of your dreams.
Open for a surprise. #worldmentalhealthday pic.twitter.com/sTDqDDwD23
— Hayley Bell (@HayleyBell24) October 10, 2017
Save this tweet for a rainy day. Hayley Bell took to twitter with these lovely surprise notes. Pick one at random and feel fuzzy inside.
The Instagram account of the Suicide Prevention Hotline UK uses it’s feed to share visually striking and soothing images in a creative way. This free to call number was set up by the Samaritans in 2015 and is linked to helplines across the EU that offer emotional support. This is the number to call if you ever feel lost and like you don’t have anybody to talk to, the line is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Zoe Sugg is one of the UK’s biggest YouTube stars. Originally coming to fame through her YouTube channel entitled Zoella, on which she shares lifestyle and beauty videos, she has since launched a beauty line and written several books. Throughout her journey she has never shied away from talking about her own issues with anxiety even becoming the first “digital ambassador” of Mind, the mental health charity.
If you need any help or just someone to talk to
Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/
Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/
Project Semicolon: https://www.samaritans.org/
NHS mental health: http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/mentalhealth/Pages/Mentalhealthhome.aspx
Sally Wijers
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
RSS