ARThis week is Mental Health Awareness Week with the theme of loneliness for 2022. The week is a chance to spread awareness about the importance of looking after ourselves, and how we can support anyone who feels lonely or concerned about their wellbeing. Our work on the helplines as well as our work with schools, has shown us how online harms can have a detrimental affect towards an individual’s mental health with loneliness being a common factor.
Find out how you can support yourself and others this Mental Health Awareness week with a few points below.
Reach Out and Get Support
Loneliness can strike when we feel we have nowhere to turn to, especially if we find ourselves victimised by online harm. Sometimes knowing where to go and just getting advice could be what makes you feel supported and not alone. Our helplines and support services are there to help you in your time of need, providing mediatory support when faced with:
- Intimate Image Abuse (Revenge Porn Helpline)
- A victim or witness to legal but harmful online material (Report Harmful Content)
- An online safety concern if you’re a professional working with children and young people (Professionals Online Safety Helpline)
- A harmful sexual behaviour concern if you’re a professional working with young people affected by harmful sexual behaviour incidents (Harmful Sexual Behaviour Support Service)
Explore the Online World
The online world is huge, and fortunately, there’s a lot of people out there who are a part of it. No matter what your interests or hobbies may be, there will always be others who will share similar interests. Whether it’s joining a group or finding an online community, using opportunities to talk positively with others about what you enjoy can open up new connections and potential friendships. Make sure you feel comfortable when talking with others online and always remember to report anything that is harmful and leave any online communication if you feel uncomfortable.
If you are unsure, check out our social media checklists to help create positive online spaces.
Take Note of Your Digital Wellbeing
We use technology for many things and sometimes the use of social media and other apps can have a huge impact upon our overall wellbeing. Make sure you are aware of how using online spaces makes you feel. Does it create a positive experience or a negative one? If you are feeling like your mental health is being affected by going online, take some time away from screens and do some offline activities instead. Having regular breaks is important and can create some space for other enjoyable things.
For further guidance on Digital Wellbeing and to find resources to support younger age groups, you can visit our Digital Wellbeing page.
Extend Support Towards Others
Experiencing loneliness is hard but opening up support to others can raise essential awareness and create welcoming spaces. Especially if you’re a professional who works with children, ensuring communities know where to go to for non-judgemental support can encourage students to speak out more about their mental health.
Our anonymous reporting tool, Whisper can provide a supportive avenue to the children and young people in your care.
Mental Health Foundation
The Mental Health Foundation have organised Mental Health Awareness Week and are supporting the theme of loneliness by offering informative guidance and resources to those who may be experiencing loneliness. They also provide information about how you can support others as well as guides for parents and students.
To support you or those around you throughout and beyond Mental Health Awareness Week, remember to take a look at all of the resources above as well as the supportive guidance from the Mental Health Foundation.
