The young people involved have been working as Young Mental Health Champions in the county since last year. They decided to create the resources after holding a series of focus groups which revealed a lack of knowledge and understanding among young people when it comes to mental health.
In particular, the focus groups found that many young people were supporting their friends with issues at the expense of their own mental health.
The group has now published two sets of “LifeHacks” – one resource to help young people look after their own mental health, and a second to help them support their friends with their mental health.
They offer practical tips and ideas written “by young people for young people”. Each booklet contains an explanation of the “LifeHack”, a “Try This” action point, further links to more information, as well as true stories from young people about how the LifeHack worked for them.
Officially titled the Little Books of Mental Health LifeHacks, the resources can be downloaded for free and have been funded by Somerset Public Health.
Sarah Patuck, one of the Young Mental Health Champions for Somerset, said: “This project has been very insightful and a great way to create helpful links for others who need a helping hand. The LifeHacks will hopefully give people the chance to understand and help themselves in their times of need.”
The Mental Health LifeHacks resources can be viewed on the Somerset LifeHacks website and includes access to promotional posters and postcards which people can download and print.
- The Little Book of Mental Health LifeHacks can be downloaded at http://bit.ly/2l9NL70 and The Little Book of Mental Health LifeHacks to support a friend can be found at http://bit.ly/2lend0r
- For more on the LifeHacks resources and Somerset’s mental health work, visit http://bit.ly/2jT9L0X