My Experience of Using Islington Mind’s Side by Side App by Liam Dodoveci

I have recently come across a mental health chat forum called ‘side by side’, made by an mental health charity called Mind. It is a really useful platform where people can go on and write about whatever is on their mind. That could be about how their day is going, how they are feeling, or even just posting pictures about what they love that's positive: things like images of their dog or nature for example. It’s been shown that focusing on those things can really uplift your mood. But whatever your reason is for using Side by Side, everyone receives support from each other. The site is monitored by the admins to make sure the website is safe, friendly and welcoming for everybody. 

The site has lots of tabs you can click on, ranging from up-to-date news about relevant topics that relate to mental health, such as financial issues, depression and lonliness. But these are just the few from a wider range of other topics. There is a ‘conversations’ tab where you can interact with other members in a positive way, whether for support, to chat or to make friends. On the ‘home’ tab there is a wider range of interactions from members, similar to social media, where you can see what is on members' minds, and you can interact with them. Before you join the website, it gives you a safe space to write a bit about you and your personal story, as well as what your interests are. This helps with better understanding between people.

Since being an active member, I have found the website to be a saving grace for myself when I have felt despair and hopelessness. It allows you to write about what’s bothering you. Whenever you post about something, whether that be something that's brought you joy or a problem you are facing, other members can reply showing you support or responding to your post. You can communicate by giving icons such as “thinking of you", “I hear you”, “I like this” and “this helped me”. This forum is a very supportive community, and every member on there makes you feel comfortable. This creates a safe place to write about your emotions and since I have been a member, I have seen the effectiveness of the app and the community that has been created through it. 

I would highly recommend anyone to check this website out, and you can see what a kind, caring, friendly and supportive website this is.