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鈥楳y mental health blog helped my recovery 鈥� and saved lives鈥�

22 November 2018

Married and with a successful career: to an observer, it might have looked like Mandy Jones had the perfect life.

But a series of personal misfortunes left her struggling with mental health issues and culminated in her standing on a bridge, intent on taking her own life.

A passer-by came to her aid, however, and during the hospital stay that followed, Mandy came up with an idea to aid her recovery — and, at the same time, help other women in similar situations.

She created the .

Empowered woman project

Social media has been a lifesaver for one woman who previously tried to take her own life.

‘It provides a bit of a safe community’

Mandy opened her laptop and started writing about her experiences with mental ill health. She published her writing in a blog, which now includes contributions from other women across Scotland.

Two women said reading the blog saved their lives

“It’s been a real learning curve for me; at the end of the day everybody’s experiences are totally different.”

The reaction Mandy has had from other women is something she says has been ‘truly amazing’.

“There have been women who’ve messaged me to say that reading the blog has saved their life.

“Without the platform, I don’t know that these people would have come forward. Certainly for me, had it not been for the crisis point I reached, I probably wouldn’t have asked for help.”

Writing the blog – and sharing others’ stories – has created a platform Mandy describes as a safe community and self-led therapy group.

“It bridges the gap between needing medical help and just saying nothing.”

  • 22-year-old blogger Kay spoke of how she used social media to aid her recovery from agoraphobia, eating disorders and PTSD.

  • If you, or someone you know, have been affected by mental health issues, these organisations may be able to help.

Mandy on The Digital Human

Social media and depression

Is Mandy’s positive use of social media bucking the trend on platforms that are otherwise harming young people’s mental health? (From 2017)

Depression: Understood

Young people reveal what it’s really like to have depression. (From 2017)

Laura鈥檚 story

Laura talks about her depression and the steps she took to recovery. (From 2017)

鈥楽peak up over mental health鈥�

Rebecca Johnson, who suffers from anxiety and depression, wants more young people to speak up about their mental health.

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