spunout’s Open Minds campaign

spunout’s ‘Open Minds’ (#OpenMinds) campaign, asks our readers to keep an open mind when it comes to mental health. The campaign aims to reframe the understanding and misconceptions of mental health among young people in Ireland.

Similar to our physical health, our mental health is something that is with us at all times, not only during times of illness or hardship. Anyone can experience a mental health condition, but there are also those more vulnerable to mental health issues due to societal factors such as where you are from, being part of a minority group, and lack of resources or access to education. The campaign will help a generation of young people better understand that mental health isn’t either “good” or “bad”, but that it is ever adapting and can change depending on a person’s situation in life.

Open Minds Content

Impact of society on mental health

• How does society affect your mental health?
• The mental health impact of being the ‘minority of minorities’
• Society needs to stop the stigma on mental health

Understanding trauma

• What is trauma? Causes, symptoms and treatments
• Quiz: How much do you know about trauma?

Looking after your mental health

• How DBT is helping me manage my mental health conditions
• My toolkit for managing my anxiety and depression
• How to prepare for bad mental health days
• Talking to your partner about your mental health
• How to practice self compassion

The impact of language on mental health

• Why language matters when talking about mental health
• How language affected my mental health
• The language to use when talking about suicide

Mental health as a spectrum

• Is mental health a spectrum?

Mental health supports in Ireland

• Mental health supports for men in Ireland
• Mental health supports for college students in Ireland
• Mental health support for ethnic minorities in Ireland
• Advice and services to help support your mental health

Joseph’s story

Feeling overwhelmed and want to talk to someone?

• Get anonymous support 24/7 with our text message support service
• Connect with a trained volunteer who will listen to you, and help you to move forward feeling better
• Free-text SPUNOUT to 50808 to begin
• Find out more about our text message support service

If you are a customer of the 48 or An Post network or cannot get through using the ‘50808’ short code please text HELLO to 086 1800 280 (standard message rates may apply). Some smaller networks do not support short codes like ‘50808’.