In tune to youngsters’ feelings

A survey of 1000 young Scots has found that two thirds (66 per cent) think young people are dismissed by adults when they try to speak about their mental health, potentially leaving many with nowhere to turn.

In Central Scotland, the figure stands at 68 per cent as new research asked youngsters their opinions on a range of issues around mental health stigma and discrimination.

Commissioned by See Me, Scotland’s national programme, the survey by Censuswide asked 1000 16 to 24-yearolds for their views on mental health ahead of the relaunch of Feelsfm, the world’s first emoji-powered jukebox.

Feelsfm is designed to help young people express their feelings, use music as a positive coping strategy, and find new ways to talk about mental health stigma and discrimination.

Since its launch, more than 5000 young people have shared their views on mental health.

The web platform has been redesigned with a new layout, games, emojis and playlists – and new questions to help gain a better understanding of what needs to change, so when young people are struggling with their mental health, they no longer face stigma and discrimination.

See Me volunteer spokesperson Kirsty Hughes, 19, said: “I had a few teachers that I had particularly good relationships with. I built up the confidence to talk to them about my mental health, but they kind of dismissed me. They argued that it was just part of being a teenager; it was all hormones, it was the stress of exams. But it wasn’t and they made me feel as though my feelings weren’t valid.

“That really impacted the relationship that I had with them, because I suddenly thought, if they don’t understand then nobody’s going to understand.”

Find out more at www.feelsfm.co.uk