Blogs
The power of words
An opportunity for young people to share their thoughts, opinions and experiences.

Making Connections
We’re not just making films. We’re making connections. For me, a lot of my mental health issues come from feeling alone, disconnected from others, unseen and unvalued. When I connect with others and when we’re working together to create something then I feel seen and valuable. This is what the Boys In Mind film

Toxic Positivity
Toxic Positivity This past month saw the dreaded return of a national lockdown. Dreaded not just because of the loss of freedoms it represents, but also its morbid reminder of the ongoing threat of an international pandemic. To be fearful, disappointed, or frustrated with these developments is a natural reaction and to be honest,

Jackson’s Blog
Talking through our problems. I’m Jackson and I’m a Primary Champion in Year 6 at Paulton Junior School. At PJS our teachers support us by encouraging us to talk through our problems and making sure they are resolved. Teachers also plan lessons to teach us about mental health and wellbeing and where we can

Finn’s Blog
Where the Magic happens… I’m Finn and I’m in year 5 at Swainswick Primary School and I’m a Primary Champion for Boys in Mind. I’m writing about what the staff at my school do to support the children and help us feel happy and safe. My school is a place where magic happens and

Lucia’s Blog
Mum, why can’t I be like the other pretty girls? Afro hair in a white society In today’s society we are obsessed with the media’s beauty ideals and we are driven to compete with our peers to have the best skin, longest hair and prettiest faces. From a young age the idea that my

Getting Through This Together
Kate Murphy and Boys in Mind Kate Murphy came to Bath in 1976, and lives with her partner Mike in Lower Camden. Local Look chatted to Kate about what she’s doing in lockdown and about the charitable organisation Boys in Mind which she set up 3 years ago with colleagues from Public Health and

Levi’s gaming blog
Levi’s Blog – Gaming and Mental Health In a post Covid-19 world, we’ve all had to adjust to slightly altered social routines. After a few months of lockdown, even we introverts are starting to miss quality time with friends and family. With everyone seeking alternative ways to connect, services such as Facetime, WhatsApp and

John’s Blog
John’s blog Getting Through This Together “We’ll Be With You” The song title of this short piece is in fact the club anthem sung loudly by Stoke City football fans as the teams emerge from the tunnel before the start of each home game. If you are wondering why this is particularly appropriate in

Sarah’s blog
Sarah’s blog – Blake As I flip through holiday photos, I am reflecting on how fortunate I was to have had the most amazing trip to New Zealand last month. Not only was I lucky in being able to go and manage to get home just days before the world went into ‘lockdown’, but

Aaron’s blog
Aaron’s blog – A Change of Pace All of my family being around all the time / change in structure There has been a change in structure for many people; you could say that there is now no given structure and that it has to be created by you and those around you. Especially

Cooking with confidence
Levi – Cooking with Confidence With all of us locked up these last couple of weeks, we’ve found ourselves looking for something to do. I’ve turned to a long running hobby of mine, home cooking. Thanks to my parents I’ve been cooking since I was a child, and while I’m no professional chef, I

Will’s Blog
Music and it’s therapeutic effects on my life My name is Will Reed and I’m a Youth Advisor for Boys in Mind. I lost my mum to cancer around the start of GCSEs and came out as gay not long after, (a pretty brief summary of events) and there were many times where I

Zoe’s Blog
Zoe’s blog You hang up the phone and you lay your head down on your purring cat’s back and start sobbing . Yet another person has failed you. Why does no one understand ? Why can no one communicate with you ? Why can’t you communicate with anyone ? Why are you such a

Tara’s blog
Hope and altruism in 2020 Scientists say they have proved that doing good things for no personal gain can have an evolutionary advantage in the long run. Whether or not these findings are true, I have certainly become more aware of an increase in selflessness and genuine concern for the wellbeing of others in

Eli’s blog
Eli’s blog April 21st 2018 was the without question one of the hardest days in my life. Losing a very close friend who was more like a brother, Charlie was just seventeen years old. I was out in a club with Charlie laughing, dancing and just having a great time all round. I woke

Emma & Maddie’s blog
Emma & Maddie’s Blog As young women, we have grown up alongside boys struggling in a society filled with unrealistic, harmful ideals of what it means to be a man. Mental health issues in young people is a growing problem in our society, but why is the situation so much worse for men? Why

Wil’s Blog
Wil’s Blog At the time of writing this I am 17 years old and roughly half-way through my second year of sixth-form. Earlier this year, just before the summer holidays, I entered an emotionally abusive and manipulative relationship that lasted 4 months. At the time, I was oblivious as to what was happening, but

Levi’s blog
Self compassion I’ve had a very hard time starting this blog. I’ve written and rewritten the opening paragraph maybe half a dozen times now, and nothing seems to come across right. We’ve all stared blankly at a screen or page wondering where to start, or how to continue, or even just how to finish

Michael’s blog
Managing my mental health as a man in the 21st century If you told me five years ago that I’d be sitting here, writing for a charity like Boys in Mind about my mental health I would have laughed at you. Not because I thought mental health was unimportant. I was just ignorant to

Henry’s blog
Henry’s blog The Pit So this is a chance to reflect a little. I am an autistic man, currently living in supported accommodation. At the time I write this I’m feeling good. As I type a sense of relief slowly makes itself present ; every word contains a measure of my stress and anxiety.

Gabe’s blog
Gabe’s blog My first year of sixth form was a rough year for me – my low mental health was triggered by a traumatic incident in which I had a knife pulled me on my way home from school in a case of mistaken identity. Following the incident, I felt a kind of vulnerability