Changing how people see positive mental health
Our research has shown that people often feel like that they can’t relate to the images that the media use when they talk about the things that can help our mental health. We want to change that.
We’re launching a freely-available library of images that represent real people looking after their mental health.
We received some amazing images which will be available in our new library in February 2024. Sign up to receive updates when the library goes live.
The themes covered in our image library will be:
- Physical exercise and movement
- Nature
- Connection
- The workplace
- Creativity
What the research showed
We asked people how they felt about images used for positive news stories about mental health. These are the things they told us mattered to them:
What people liked:
- Diversity: of age, gender, body shape, ethnicity and physical ability.
- A range of activities: not just vigorous exercise, yoga or meditation.
- Human connection: people connecting with those around them is important, but it’s also OK to show people being happy on their own.
- Realistic: everyday clothing, genuine positive expressions, lived-in backgrounds.
- Nature: including elements of our natural environment but ensuring that it feels accessible.
What people disliked:
- Obviously posed images: people looking immaculately groomed, unnatural poses, fake or overly positive facial expressions.
- Financially unrelatable: the latest technology, swanky gyms or show-home style backgrounds.
- Stereotypes: not everyone practices mindfulness in a forest at sunrise.
- Inaccessible activities: showing things which are only accessible to a few and would exclude people from certain backgrounds.
Overall, remember that good mental health is not about achieving perfection – positive well-being can be achieved in different ways, in different places, by different people.
Tim, competition judge & photographerMy camera helps me find beauty in things I don’t think I would have noticed previously, and often puts me into a zone of calmness. I’d encourage everyone to have a go as it can really help boost your mental health and wellbeing.
