By Peter Mackay
“We need real talk, for real change – and change starts with conversation.”
That is the strong message from a social media-based mental health initiative which has been launched in the Highlands.
Headspace Highlands is an Instagram-based project that aims to break down stigma and share stories from numerous people throughout the Highlands and Islands.
The initiative hopes to get more people in the north of Scotland to open up and talk about their mental health.
Carly-Skye Fraser is the brains behind the operation and said: “I started Headspace Highlands to normalise speaking about mental health.
“I feel like we always hear that ‘it’s okay to struggle with your mental health, and you can always reach out’ – but I don’t feel like we really see actual real people in the Highlands speaking about their own stories.”
• More health news
• Sign up to our free newsletters
Carly-Skye grew up in Inverness and is a former pupil of Millburn Academy. The struggles that she has witnessed other people go through – perhaps too close to home – have played a big part in getting Headspace Highlands up and running.
The 20-year-old said: “I volunteer locally doing one-on-one support sessions, and from seeing that first-hand coupled with recent news about the devastating number of lives lost in this area and the Black Isle, that really makes me want to make a change with Headspace Highlands.
“Thinking about people not wanting to reach out, and not being able to reach out because of this stigma around the Highlands – we really need to change that.”
Carly-Skye is currently studying her third year of BSc psychology at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI).
Alongside her studies, she is serving as a wellbeing ambassador at UHI, which focuses on helping students with mental health awareness and connections to support resources.
Carly-Skye explained: “As long as this helps one person reach out and think that it’s okay to speak to somebody, to reach out and ask for help – I’m happy with that!”
“I want Headspace Highlands to be a safe space.
“Social media can be really negative, I want this to be positivity-based and avoid that negative side where we see where people get involved in comparisons and other unhealthy content.”
Inverness-based real estate agent Travis Shaw was the first guest to talk about personal mental health issues on the platform which was started last month on Instagram and Facebook.
He said: “By sharing my experiences, people have reached out to me with similar challenges they’re facing, saying it makes them feel less alone.”
With plans for more local people to have a sit-down chat with her, Carly-Skye feels honoured that people have been so willing to be open with her about personal matters.
She added: “You would never know half of what people have gone through, and I feel so lucky to have these people open up to me and share their stories.
“You never know what somebody is going through – and that’s why people need to reach out, you would be amazed at how much someone can relate to you and your story.
“It’s really just about listening – I’m not thinking about what to say next.
“I feel so privileged having them open up to me in the first place and that people feel safe to do so – then it’s just about being supportive.”
Carly-Skye believes that mental health charities in the north are doing amazing work, but due to ever-present stigma, there is one specific area she believes Headspace Highlands could help fill a void.
Cary-Skye said: “The stigma is still there and is seen as a weakness, but I think with Headspace Highlands having people open up, particularly men, men opening up and seeing others speak up and hopefully finding their own courage to do so.
“Even a little bit of change through this project would be fantastic.
“I hope we can become a platform where people are comfortable and can find some self-help.
“I’m going to do videos on understanding anxiety, and low mood, and creating content that could help people understand why they are feeling a certain way.”
For many people, the initial conversation is the hardest to have, but Carly-Skye believes it is the most vital part of the process.
Carly-Skye urged anyone struggling to speak out, adding: “Reach out to somebody – anybody – is always the first piece of advice.
“Whether it’s a friend, a family member, or a professional – talk first and then we can go from there.”
