This year, we have all needed some more #wellbeing in our lives, and many of us have struggled with the challenges that the pandemic continues to bring.
From inspiring stories about personal mental health journeys, to the #lifehacks that helped get us through lockdown and beyond, there has been an outpouring of support from the TikTok community as we look to turn up for each other and ourselves during these most difficult of times.
To coincide with Mental Health Awareness Month, TikTok has launched a new wellbeing content hub on TikTok, for our community in Australia and New Zealand. The hub offers a centralised and dedicated destination for tools, expert advice, and content that supports holistic wellbeing across both mind and body.
Focussing on lived experience, the hub celebrates diverse voices in the mental health space and provides a home on TikTok for resources that are accessible to our community when they need them most. Users can find the wellbeing hub on the Discover page in the TikTok app, or search for it using terms including ‘mental health’, ‘anxiety’ and ‘health’.
As part of this initiative, a range of inspiring and informative local TikTok creators and expert organisations will be featured, with the hub showcasing content across the pillars of mind, body and education:
- @sarahmagusara – One of Australia’s biggest fitness and health creators, Sarah motivates viewers to keep a healthy mind and body through some of her much-loved, feel-good dance moves and challenging workouts.
- @sarahrav – Let the queen of #StudyTok entertain you while she shines a light on how to increase productivity and stay centred and focused during stressful times.
- @mitch.wallis – Talking all things mental health, Mitch is passionate about building mental resilience through practical strategies and providing hope to others by sharing his lived experience.
- @redcrossau – Leading humanitarian organisation Australian Red Cross will be providing some practical and useful first aid related tips and advice, as well as resources to support mental wellbeing.
Recovery and resilience are the themes for Mental Health Awareness Month this year, so TikTok is hosting a range of livestream events exclusively as part of the wellbeing hub. Local creators and key organisations will be sharing engaging discussions and guidance on emotional and physical wellbeing, with LIVE events including:
- 14th October, 6.00pm AEDT | Voices of Hope: Co-founders of Kiwi charity Voices of Hope and mental health advocates, @genevievemora2 and @jazzthornton_, will share their personal experiences, wellbeing tips and helpful mental health resources LIVE via their TikTok account @voicesofhope.
- 31st October, 7.00pm AEDT | Meg Sanderson: An accredited breath work coach, Meg will be hosting a ‘Breathe With Me’ livestream, showing the benefits of listening to your breath to help reduce stress and increase alertness LIVE on TikTok @megsandybreathe.
The wellbeing hub also provides access to off-platform resources and organisations that support mental wellbeing and offer assistance in times of need. This includes Head To Health, which hosts information about services you can access in Australia and youth mental health service ReachOut, as well as Butterfly Foundation, which provides services for people affected by eating disorders and body image issues.
“People use social media for a range of reasons – from entertainment to education. We also use it to seek inspiration, and to inspire others,” said Mitch Wallis, Australia TikTok creator and mental health advocate.
“Online platforms like TikTok are now a source of comfort for many people as more creators use services like this as a means to open up about their lived experience with mental health and bring more authenticity to a world that is often tarnished with unrealistic perceptions. It’s a medium in which creators like me can use my voice to let others know they’re not alone.”
“This can happen at scale, and in a way that is less polished and more raw than what’s been historically seen on other platforms. I’m delighted to see a brand like TikTok, a leader in this space, investing in initiatives like the wellbeing hub to utilise their online presence to help creators like me have a place to share what it means to be human.” –
“As a leading provider of first aid and mental health training, Australian Red Cross is pleased to offer free first aid resources on the TikTok wellbeing hub. We know first aid saves lives and believe everyone should have the knowledge to assist in case of an emergency,” said Wendy Greenhalf, head of first aid & mental health, Australian Red Cross.
“Mental wellbeing resources will be added in the future to provide the skills to keep on top of our own mental health, and to know the signs when friends, family and colleagues need a bit of extra support.”
“Mental health is something we all have and it is crucial that we prioritise our wellbeing. At Voices of Hope we are big believers in the power of sharing the lived experience voice,” explained Genevieve Mora, co-founder of Voice of Hope.
“When we share our stories and experiences, it allows others to feel safe to do the same. We have seen firsthand, over and over again, the positive impact talking about our struggles and the practical tools we used to get to where we are now, has had on others. We are thrilled to be part of the TikTok wellbeing hub and know that it will help so many, feel less alone in their fight.”
