George

It's been a busy few days at @mindcharity.bsky.social in social. With the government consistently spreading a dangerous rhetoric around over-diagnosis and benefits, fighting through the noise and updating people throughout what is an incredibly scary time, and offering support is vital.

Dear UK government, Let's be clear: our mental health is getting worse, and cutting benefits won’t help. You claim mental health is being “overdiagnosed”, but where’s the evidence? The reality is that our environment affects our wellbeing - pandemics, the cost of living crisis, political unrest and ongoing concerns around climate change are all taking their toll. But when people seek help, they face months, or even years, of waiting. Rhetoric like this is dangerous. It reinforces stigma and stops people getting support. If you’re serious about change, listen to those affected. We can turn this crisis around - but only if the government works with us, not against us. We look forward to hearing from you, Mind

Where's the evidence that mental health is being "overdiagnosed"?

It's important to remember there are real people behind brand and organisations social media. Social media is a weird place at the moment and looking after people running the accounts is key

Thoroughly enjoying how refreshing Bluesky has felt, both personally and for Mind.

As a former member of Mind's PR team, I felt very proud seeing the charity leave X yesterday.

The move has received criticism from some, but to me it just shows that the charity has real integrity.

Well done @mindcharity.bsky.social! And welcome ☺️

@mindcharity.bsky.social 💙

We’re leaving X. We've been thinking long and hard about our future on X. We had some good times on there over the years, calling out stigma, raising awareness, supporting people and calling for the UK government to do better for mental health. But nothing lasts forever. And we've decided that X is no longer the right place for us to reach the people we need to reach, or achieve the things we need to achieve. We won't be posting on X anymore, but we'll continue to shout loudly and speak up for mental health as much as we can everywhere else (including here). We've also joined Bluesky, so if you're not already following us there, come and say hello.

Today marked a big day for @mindcharity.bsky.social leaving X.

Feeling very proud of our decision and grateful to be part of this huge shift with our socials! 🙏 A lovely welcome to #Bluesky as well 💙

hey friends, welcome to our new safe space 💙

Dear Sir Tony Blair, We agree. We do need a proper conversation about mental health. Mental health problems are just as real as physical health problems and we’re in the middle of a mental health crisis. Change is possible and the solutions are out there. But we must start from a place of understanding and face the reality of what is really happening.

The reality is that mental health accounts for 20% of all health issues but only gets 10% of NHS funding. The reality is that there are 2 million people in England currently sat on waiting lists for mental health support. And the reality is that the increasing welfare bill is a symptom of our increasing mental health crisis, not a cause. To have a proper conversation, mental health must be taken as seriously as physical health. And we must recognise the social factors that are driving up mental illness. For example, life’s ‘ups and downs’ are harder to brush off when you’re living in poverty or experiencing racism. It's possible to create a mentally healthy nation - but we need the UK government to take the brave steps necessary to get there. This means investing in prevention, early intervention and improving access to services that get people back to thriving lives. Until then, we’ll carry on fighting for people to get the support and respect they deserve. And we won’t stop until they’ve got it. Mind

Sir Tony Blair shared his thoughts on mental health this weekend... we thought we would add our own thoughts.

People are simply leaving X because it's a toxic cesspit full of hate and misinformation.

People are leaving Twitter because it’s not fun anymore and no one is obligated to be on a platform they don’t enjoy.

It’s not rocket science.

A positive step towards healthier social media usage.

Mental health is affordable housing. Mental health is free healthcare. Mental health is paid sick leave. Mental health is free education. Therapy can only do so much when living in a system that creates sickness.

*puts my mental health in rice*

It is so incredibly nice to have a social platform that values links again - a breath of fresh air in the poisoned ecosystem of the creator economy

I cannot believe it's been 5 years! Time has become a complete blur

Have been using Bluesky for the last few weeks for social listening to see what's up for when we make the jump, it's exciting. Such a refreshing place to be at the moment!

Bluesky is what social media is about. Community.

It’s here Mind Charity #BigMentalHealthReport in partnership with the brilliant Centre for Mental Health funded by The Exilarch's Foundation.

Any not-for-profit folk here work in social media? Are there conversations ongoing about moving to Bluesky as a platform? I'm very eager to move over imminently and would love to hear what convos are happening.

ah beans is my new favourite, I'm adopting this! 🫘

I've got it just sitting on my PS5 and I've yet to play... I feel so late to the party it's putting me off but I might now have to try it!!

Cicero was a very wise man

instant follow