5 Questions Campaign

For Mental Health Awareness Week 2018, I have invited people to share their experiences of mental health discussion on social media. As a mental health professional, I see such discussions as largely positive. Awareness is raised of mental health issues which may otherwise remain hidden, and people discuss their experiences in a mostly supportive environment. I have at times felt concerned that there may also be the possibility of people being left feeling more vulnerable – either by sharing their experience without receiving any support, or by reading about others’ experiences, or by receiving negative comments. There is also the known negative impact of any social media use.

To explore these ideas, I asked a small group of social media users to answer 5 questions about their experience of discussing mental health on social media. These questions were asked to reflect both the positive and negative side of these discussions, but also to explore how such conversations online can have a  significant real-world impact.

Please come and join in the discussion on Instagram and Facebook.

Karen

I write a blog that focuses on women’s wellbeing and a holistic lifestyle and I’ve been blogging for 6 years now. Alongside this I mentor local business women who are just starting out and host workshops and events around social media, wellness and self care. I also work supporting parents through a well known parenting website. I’m a mum of two spirited little girls, married to an engineer who like to make his own beer as well as being a cat mum to two spoilt little kitties and I’m currently studying to be a crystal therapist. I have struggled with my mental health since my teenager years but things got really bad for me after the birth of my second baby, I had some great support to deal with my maternal mental health issues and overcame them however I still continue to relapse from time to time with depression and anxiety..

Madeleine

My name is Madeleine and I’m 36.

I am a mom to 3 boys 5 and under. 

I started blogging in order to carve out a little bit of my day for me. I love to write and it’s even nicer when someone takes the time to read it, acknowledge it or connects with me through it. I love the Instagram world I think there are truly great things to be gotten from it. But we are our own monitors and must be careful why and how much we live in this online world.

Gary

Hi my name is Gary aka Daddy Dilemmas. I am a husband to Suzy @forever_a_mum and dad to Lily (4) & Ivy (2) and would describe myself as a mental health advocate. I have been battling depression for the last 3 years and it has been tough. Some highs and a lot of real lows. Everything has got me to where I am today and I am proud of that. I am new to all this blogging and social media but it has been a fantastic journey and helped me more than I thought. 

Hazel Ann

I’m Hazel Ann, I’m a mother to 4 children and live in the Shetland islands

Sasha

Hi, I’m Sasha, I have two small but very lively boys, and a lovely collection of mental health issues. I am a self employed beauty and holistic therapist, and work with environmentally friendly, natural, vegan products.  I’m currently learning how to juggle mothering, running a business and writing a blog. The blog occasionally seems like I’m just adding pointless extra work to my already busy schedule, but actually there have been so many benefits for me being active online – through my blog, youtube and all social media channels

Vicki

My name is Vicki and I am a freelance blogger and social media outreach specialist. I am a NICU and CHD mum to two boys. I honestly confess what it is like to have a baby in NICU and who has CHD, as well as my maternal mental health struggles. Through social media  I have now connected with and identified the extreme need for better support for NICU parents and hope to use my story to campaign for better care using social media as my platform.

Rebecca

Hi, I am Rebecca a 31 year old Mum to my 2 and a half year old IVF miracle, Ravi. I found my soul mate in my husband, Sanjay and we have shared 10 years together. After miscarriages, 9 surgeries to excise and treat Endometriosis, 16 years struggling with chronic pain and a cycle of IVF we finally became parents in late 2015.

I share my story through my Instagram page @one_strong_mutha and am hoping to reignite my blog ASAP. The one website that helped me navigate my diagnosis, medications and an overall understanding of mental illness is Mind Charity UK. I can’t recommend their clear, informative website enough. It helped me feel empowered and make informed choices about my treatment.