Raising awareness, sparking conversation and promoting good mental health for everyone are the main aims of Mental Health Awareness Week, which has been running from 13 to 19 May this year.
There are so many brave people speaking out about their mental health to break the stigma and to give others hope. Many of them are using social media to do this. If you need help or want to help a family member, friend or colleague, there are also many organisations and charities out there to provide support.
While social media can be a minefield when you’re going through a tough time, filling your feed with accounts that make you feel positive can really help.
Here are some of the most inspiring messages on Twitter that have helped me this Mental Health Awareness Week. I hope they can help you too.
This charity offers information, advice and support for young people. The account posts inspiring messages as well as useful, accessible infographics.
This organisation is the host of Mental Health Awareness Week. This year’s theme is body image. The charity’s mission is “to help people to thrive through understanding, protecting, and sustaining their mental health.”
This campaign is a growing social movement to end the stigma around mental health. It’s really useful for those who want to support someone who may be struggling.
This charity is another great resource for people who want to support others but also has an informative glossary about different types of mental health conditions to help those diagnosed, and their loved ones to understand them.
This fantastic organisation is dedicated to helping people with depression, with free resources and an emphasis on self-care.
This charity’s main focus is its incredible and free 24-hour helpline – 116 123 –and e-mail service (jo@samaritans.org), but it also uses social media to remind people they are not alone and how to get help or help others.
The Campaign Against Living Miserably is a movement to prevent suicide, especially male suicide which is the biggest killer of men under 45. It also has a free helpline.
8) Heads Together
Spearheaded by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, this innovative initiative aims to tackle mental health stigma.
9) Rethink Mental Illness
This charity aims to change attitudes to mental illness and has lots of resources to help people with mental illnesses to live a better life.
Aside from charities, here are some other good Twitter accounts to follow.
10) Depression Notes
This account offers information and support for people with depression.
11) NHS
There’s also loads of information available via the NHS (and of course your doctor).
12) All On The Board
This account showcases the wonderful work of two creative members of staff at London Underground. They’ve done some inspiring stuff for Mental Health Awareness Week.
13) Sport England
It’s a well-know fact exercise can promote emotional well-being. Follow this account gor inspiration.
Here are some other tweets that have resounded with people this Mental Health Awareness Week.