In lead up to Mental Health Awareness Week (13 – 19 May), a group of young people called MindMate Ambassadors will be launching a social media campaign, alongside the local NHS, called #MindMay8. The campaign encourages young people across Leeds to tag a mate who has been there for them during tough times, as well as making young people aware of what mental health support is available to them in Leeds.
Rachael Campey, who is one of the MindMate Ambassadors, said: “#MindMay8 encourages young people across Leeds to recognise anyone who has been there for them during tough times and this will encourage young people to have a conversation about mental health. Celebrities like Zayn Malik, Cara Delevingne, Justin Bieber have opened up about their mental health, and more recently Perrie Edwards from Little Mix has opened up about her anxiety and panic attacks. I’m hoping that this will encourage more young people to start having the conversation around mental health.
“The campaign will be launched on Wednesday 1 May and will be promoted right up until 8 May on MindMate’s social media platforms; Facebook (MindMateLeeds), Instagram (MindMateLeeds) as well as promoting the campaign on Twitter (MindMateLeeds).
“As a MindMate Ambassador, my role is to raise the profile of the website (www.mindmate.org.uk) among the city’s young people and this campaign is a great opportunity to do that. If any young person wants to find out what support is available to them in Leeds, as they or someone they know has mental health issues, they can visit the MindMate website.”
Dr Jane Mischenko, Lead Commissioner for Children and Maternity at NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “For the second year running we’re using 8 May to raise awareness of #MindMay8 as we want more young people to have an open conversation about mental health, and that it’s ok to talk about mental health and to know what support is available to them or a friend in Leeds.
“This year we’re asking young people to tag a friend who has been there for them. This can be someone who you were able to talk to during a difficult time in your life or someone that has just been there for you. If you’re a parent, carer or a professional who works with young people, it would be great if you could share this campaign.
“Talking about your mental health isn’t always easy, but you could do this by talking to a family member, friend or a school teacher. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to anyone that you know, visit the MindMate website, there are services that can help you and materials that you can use to help with your mental health.”
If you’re a young person and need support or help with your mental health, please visit the MindMate website www.mindmate.org.uk
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Notes to editors
About MindMate
MindMate is a dedicated mental health and emotional wellbeing website (www.mindmate.org.uk) in Leeds for young people (age 12 – 25), parents and professionals who work with young people.
MindMate Ambassadors
The MindMate Ambassador team have been recruited to raise the profile of the MindMate website among the city’s young people. To find out more about the MindMate Ambassadors, please visit https://www.mindmate.org.uk/introducing-new-mindmate-ambassador-team/
Thunderclap – #MindMay8 2018
Last year we encouraged Leeds residents to take part in #MindMay8 Thunderclap, to raise awareness of the support available to young people for their mental health an wellbeing. Further information about the Thunderclap can be found on the following link https://www.leedsccg.nhs.uk/news/local-sports-legend-encourages-leeds-residents-to-take-part-in-mindmay8-thunderclap/
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Issued by the communications team at NHS Leeds CCG. You can contact the team on 0113 84 35528 or 0113 84 35470. Alternatively please email us: [email protected]