MIND in Berkshire has partnered with the Mental Health Forum at Kennet School in Thatcham to develop practical resources exploring the impact of digital life on mental health.
Organisers say student voices have been placed at the heart of the project to ensure young people’s real experiences are reflected and support their wellbeing in an increasingly-connected world.
It comes after an allocation of funding from The Greenham Trust through West Berkshire Council.
Drawing on their lived experiences, students created an interactive webinar, Digital Balance: Caring for your Mind Online, to help their peers better understand both the opportunities and challenges of being online, with a particular focus on the positives and negatives of social media.
The film and teaching resource, created by young people for young people, explores the positive aspects of being online including connection and community; creativity and self-expression; access to emotional support and mental health resources; and cultural awareness and empathy.
It also explores the risks young people face such as social pressure which can cause anxiety– excessive screen time, distraction, exposure to harmful content, and privacy concerns.
To support their peers, the students developed the 5 Ways to Digital Wellbeing.
Being active, such as taking regular breaks, spending time outdoors, and balancing screen time with physical activity, was among them.
It also included staying safe, by filtering inappropriate content, avoiding online conflict, and speaking to a trusted adult if something feels wrong; as well as setting limits through monitoring screen time and establish personal boundaries.
It also advocated for the use of digital platforms for education and sharing what users learn with friends and family, as well as offering support to others online and encouraging those struggling to seek help.
Jess Willsher, Chief Executive of Oxfordshire Mind, said: “This project gives young
people a real voice in shaping mental health support for their peers . We’re
delighted to have worked with the Kennet School to co-create these digital
resources with students, break ing down stigma, and provid ing safe spaces for
open conversations. ”
Anna Gillies, Volunteering and Involvement Manager at Oxfordshire Mind & Mind in Berkshire, said: “ This project highlights the strength of young people taking the initiative to support one another online.
“Discussions about mental health often focus on adult perspectives, but by listening to other students share their experiences, young people can feel less isolated and find it easier to talk about mental health issues.
“By distributing these resources throughout West Berkshire, we aim to reach thousands of students and make mental health support engaging, relevant, and accessible for everyone. ”
The Kennet School said: “Kennet School continues to value the partnership with Mind in Berkshire.
“Our pupils are deeply committed to supporting every member of our school community by raising awareness of key wellbeing issues and highlighting the support available.
“This series of webinars is the result of a fantastic collaborative effort with Oxfordshire Mind, Mind in Berkshire and Kennet’s Wellbeing Forum.
“Under the guidance of Mr Joyce and Anna Gillies from Oxfordshire Mind, our pupils have embraced the challenge and produced a set of thoughtfully planned, and confidently delivered webinars.
“We are delighted with the outcome and incredibly proud to share a resource that will offer meaningful support to young people. ”
