Online Mental Health Communities

'Side by Side' is an online peer support community that offers a safe and anonymous space for people to talk about their mental health and connect with others who understand what they are going through. The community is available 24/7 and is moderated by the Mind team, a mental health charity in the UK. Users can join and set up a personalized profile, share posts and photos, tag their posts to indicate their needs, have private message conversations, and report things they are worried about. Side by Side is grounded in the values of peer support and aims to help people feel inspired to take positive steps on their mental health journeys.

Side by Side is a valuable product for the mental health industry, as it addresses the growing demand for online and accessible forms of support, especially among youth. According to a survey by the Mental Health Foundation, 70% of young people aged 18-24 have experienced a mental health problem in the past year, and 49% of them have used the internet or apps to cope with stress. Online peer support communities like Side by Side can offer several benefits for youth, such as reducing stigma, increasing social connectedness, enhancing self-esteem, and providing emotional and practical guidance. By offering a platform for youth to share and listen with empathy, Side by Side can contribute to the prevention and recovery of mental health issues and promote well-being among its users.