Carefull is an online magazine which aims to support our readers’ mental health while raising money to improve mental health services. Issue One, which launched on Thursday 7th May, is a showcase of creative talent to inspire those struggling in self-isolation while practicing social distancing.
ISSUE ONE consists of four sections: LOOK (visuals, artwork, photography), LISTEN (playlists, podcasts, meditation), LEARN (recipes, practices for calming anxiety, advice from athletes, directors, yogis) and LOVE (poetry and personal essays).
Kitty Connor and Molly Naghten wanted to carve out a peaceful and inspiring place on the internet for anyone who struggles with mental health. This concept was formed in direct response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Through speaking to friends, relatives, artists, musicians and writers, they realised a large number of people had begun working on creative projects in efforts to ease the burden of an essential lockdown. In parallel, they noticed other friends (including ourselves) feeling a lack of inspiration in a stifled home environment or experiencing loneliness due to their inability to socialise or maintain physical contact. Self-care routines, and other tools many of us use to combat our mental health, were suddenly unavailable.
The growing anxiety caused by mass media has not helped matters; keeping up-to-date with mental health news ourselves during the outbreak has highlighted a wider and increasingly poignant concern as suicides rates are increasing, emergency changes to the Mental Health Act have been passed aside comprised access to health professionals. While UK health services clearly have to focus on the deadly virus at large, we do not want to leave this vulnerable group unheard. In recognition of the need for support and community at this time, their collaborative project has become ‘a survival guide to self-isolation’.
The idea is that if you enjoy the magazine, feel supported, gain inspiration and/or are financially able, you will make a contribution to their donation box at www.carefullmag.co.uk in support of Mind for Better Mental Health charity.
Your money could help the charity make an active difference, supporting peer support, wellbeing programmes and campaigns for Government action.
Don’t hesitate to contact creativetalent@carefullmag.com with a question, idea or any feedback.