The last few weeks have been dominated with conversations about the hit Netflix drama Adolescence. If you’ve watched it, it’s hard not to feel an urgent need to take action. If you haven’t, you’ve likely still encountered the conversations around toxic masculinity, the ‘manosphere’, bullying and how we can better protect our children from online harm.
Quite rightly, the country is talking about an issue that has not been given the urgency it deserves for too long. How can we protect children from online harms? How can we support them with positive role models? How can we learn from what is happening and take meaningful action?
In Adolescence, the story begins at a crisis point. We see two loving parents, who have raised their two children, a boy and a girl, in exactly the same way, ultimately unable to shield their son from the dangers of the digital world. At the same time, we witness the devastating loss of another family’s daughter. The message is clear: we must do more to protect and support our young people.
A mother hugs her son
At Mental Health Innovations, our purpose is simple: to transform the mental health of the nation. We’re achieving that by providing access to free, 24/7 digital support for adults, children and young people, through our range of services including The Mix - an online community for under-25s - and Shout - a 24/7 mental health text support service. We’re also developing a digital ecosystem, designed to improve the wellbeing of millions of people across the UK, fostering positive connections, supporting them and empowering them with the tools to help themselves. We believe that early intervention is the key to stop people from reaching crisis point.
Positive conversations are at the heart of everything we do at Mental Health Innovations. Through our Shout text service, volunteers are trained to listen, validate, empathise and support those who reach out. In a survey of Shout Volunteers, more than half (55%) said volunteering for Shout made them feel connected to other people, and 88% said it made them a better listener - skills they’re carrying into conversations with friends, family and colleagues; skills for life.
Through our digital community at The Mix, young people are taking part in positive conversations with their peers around pertinent issues affecting them - from body confidence, bullying, sex and relationship issues to money worries, they’re provided with a safe space online to have conversations about the things that matter to them. The Mix Six podcast further amplifies positive role models, many of whom have faced adversity and found ways to overcome it, sharing their stories of resilience and growth with listeners.
Creating safe spaces for children and young people online is crucial - equipping them and the people around them - to have positive conversations is a key starting point to driving meaningful change. If we’re not talking about these issues, how can we understand, empathise and ultimately support young people?
Our mission is clear, and with your support we can make a bigger impact. If you’re interested in partnering with us to drive positive change for people’s mental health, find out how you can help us support more people across the UK.
