New Snapchat lens to help young people talk about mental health

An organisation set up following the suicide of a 22 year old woman has launched a new Snapchat feature to help young people open up about their mental health.

The "LRF Check in" is a new lens that helps people share a "snap" that explains how they've been feeling.

It's hoped it'll encourage people as young as 13, who would otherwise struggle in silence, to share their problems and ask for help.

Using Snapchat to talk about mental health

The lens was created by the Surrey-based Lucy Rayner Foundation, in collaboration with Snapchat, to "facilitate open conversation and encourage young people to express their emotions effectively."

The foundation itself was set up in memory of Lucy Rayner, who took her own life in 2012.

As part of the next stage of their campaigning work, they've partnered with Snapchat to find a new way to interact in particular with younger social media users.

The lens allows Snapchat users to create a bespoke message that sums up how they've been feeling, which they can then share on Snapchat or other digital platforms.

Amie Johns from the LRF told us: "Sometimes the hardest bit about not being ok, or suffering with your mental health is actually taking that first step and telling someone, letting someone know you're not ok and you do need support.

"We've provided options so people can choose how they want to be supported. We want to give users ownership about how they're supported and know there's not just one way of getting help.

"You can tailor it to what makes you feel comfortable."

Amie told us the utilising social media is an effective way to communicate with 13-25 year olds - who might otherwise not engage in mental health conversation or education.

She said: "It's a platform that's not going away, it's a platform that's being used by younger people every year and rather than ignoring that we wanted to find a way we could reshape it and use it as a positive tool."

Getting support for your mental health.

Find out more about The Lucy Rayner Foundation

If you need to find mental health services where you are, visit the Hub of Hope

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