These 11 Young People Are Sparking a Mental Health Movement Online

Published: June 10, 2021

Okay, so I’ve probably missed my window to do spring cleaning, but let me tell you about my summer cleaning tradition. That’s when my seasonal depression has mostly faded into the background and I can really take stock of the things that excite me while also thinking through how I can reduce some of the everyday stressors in my life. Basically, Marie Kondo for the mind.

So what is going to spark joy for me? Embracing my friends (both literally and figuratively), for one. And one way that I plan to make even more room for that is by creating a healthier relationship with social media.

Fortunately, I won’t be alone in this. Research shows that social media can contribute to negative self-esteem and negative self-image, which is why more than 10,000 DoSomething members have signed up for our What’s Not Pictured program to boost their friends’ self-esteem online by highlighting the things they love about them that don’t always get seen online. Here are just 11 of the young people who are spreading joy and supporting those they love.

1) DoSomething member LaNicia, 17

“My friends are always there for me, and it’s easy to forget that they can sometimes second guess themselves and their worth. I want to always remind them that they are some of the most amazing things that have happened to me.”

2) DoSomething member Heston, 21

“Social media can tear people down, and it does quite often. I have learned that we can't just fight negativity with neglect, but we have to fight it with active positivity. I think this is an amazing campaign and I hope to do this far more often than I currently do.”

3) DoSomething member Paige, 22

“I think that social media is a great tool to help spread positivity and let people know how much they mean to you, so I'm thrilled to have had the chance to share with my friend Jess just how much her friendship means to me!”

4) DoSomething member Gisselle, 20

“This campaign is important to me because in my past I have felt insecure and my self-esteem has been to the lowest but when my friend or family lifts me up it helps me feel 1000 times better. Also, when a stranger compliments me or says something nice it makes my day so I like to do the same back.”

5) DoSomething member Kiley, 18

“I believe very strongly in a little positivity going a long way. If we all were just a little bit nicer to each other and put forth a little more effort, the world would be a much happier place to be.”

6) DoSomething member Henry, 18

“I think that this is not only important to me but also to the rest of the social media world. There is a stigma on a lot of social media platforms of negativity, but I think that there is a lot more than just that on these platforms. I think that it is important for people to take a break from all the negativity and social standards that they see on the internet and realize that they are already special and amazing. I think this campaign really embodies my thoughts on social media and why it can negatively affect people, so as the campaign suggests, this is a great solution to just remind people that social media isn't all bad and can lead to great feelings too.”

7) DoSomething member Abigail, 18

“This campaign is important to me because as someone who struggles with outer appearance, it feels good to be recognized for who you are as a person. I am a huge advocate for mental health and I think that spreading positivity and encouraging health from all aspects of life can lead to a happier and healthier generation.”

8) DoSomething member Carly, 21

“Mental health is extremely important. Although I try to message my loved ones often to share how truly blessed and honored I am to have them in my life, this campaign gives me another opportunity to do so. Something as simple as shooting them a quick text, posting about them or a 10 minute phone call can go a long way! Now more than ever, we need to be there for one another and boost each other up.”

9) DoSomething member Joseph, 19

“Mental health is extremely important to me, because as a person who struggled with depression through several years of high school and got through it, I understand how hard it can be to mentally take on hurdles that your anxiety and depression put you through. I am a private person and honestly do not like giving out much information, but I saw this [program] as an amazing opportunity to spread awareness and remind my girlfriend of how proud I am of the woman she is becoming.”

10) DoSomething member Kenisha, 17

“The reason I believe this campaign is important is because we need to remind the people we love that we do in fact love them. We don’t know what one another is going through and having someone remind you that they’re not alone and that they’re loved for is really important especially when one is going through a tough spot. It lets them know what it is you love about them and that they’re important to you.”

11) DoSomething member Nicole, 23

“My friends pick me up whenever I'm down and always stand by my side. Oftentimes, social media puts a lot of negative pressure on people to look and act a certain way and it often takes a toll on me and I have seen firsthand the toll it can take on my friends as well. Whether I feel disappointed in myself or am having a bad body image day or just feel sad, my friends always remind me of how proud I should be of myself, my achievements, and my body. It's important to love yourself and support your loved ones and let them know that they are beautiful in every sense of the word.”