Skip to Content
9 October 2019

Bauer Media brands to take part in first social media blackout on World Mental Health Day

To mark World Mental Health Day (October 10th), Bauer Media brands are calling on audiences to ditch social media for one hour after insight commissioned by Where’s Your Head At? reveals the worries surrounding the effects of social media on mental health. The research found:

  • 72% agree it is important to have a break from social media every once in a while;
  • 41% say social media is important to them but 81% agree that social media should be used in moderation;
  • 96% believe that looking after your mental health is just as important as your physical health [Mental Health Survey, Bauer Insiders (October 2019)].

Bauer Media brands including Absolute Radio, Grazia, heat, Magic, Closer and Hits Radio will be calling on their audiences to join them in a social media blackout from 1-2pm on Thursday 10th October. During this time, these brands will refrain from posting or commenting and will call on audiences to start face to face conversations – hoping to encourage open discussions around mental health in support of Where’s Your Head At?

This follows comments from influencer Zoe Sugg who revealed to this week’s Grazia she believes intermittent social media breaks are essential for maintaining good mental health. She shared: “What works for me is taking a bit more time off social media. Take a step back in terms of sharing too – sometimes it’s nice to give just myself that time to live my life. I make sure everyone I’m following is making me feel motivated and positive confident and nothing that makes me feel bad.”

Commenting on the activity, Abby Carvosso Group Managing Director Bauer Media Advertising said, “At Bauer Media, we firmly believe your mental health is as important as your physical health which is why our Where’s Your Head At? mission is so critical. Whilst social media can be a force for good, our audiences are telling us a short social break can have a positive impact on their mental health which is why we’re enacting our first social media blackout from across our brand portfolio.”

Sarah Barnes People and Culture Director Bauer Media UK added, “As a diverse and progressive employer, we are working to ensure parity of treatment for mental and physical health for all of our people. As part of our commitment to Belonging at Bauer, we now have 27 trained mental health first aiders and are working towards having one in every Bauer site. Our work continues to ensure Bauer is a great place to do great work for all.”

Other activity from across Bauer Media to mark World Mental Health Day includes programming from Absolute Radio to promote positive mental health conversations: Time to Listen, which is funded by the Audio Content Fund and produced in partnership with TBI Media. This series will see some of the UK’s best-loved musicians and comedians talking about the songs which have inspired them, the songs which they turn to in times of darkness and the songs which signpost the best moments in their life. One story and song will be played each weeknight from Monday 14th October at 7.30pm on Danielle Perry’s evening show with directions of where to get support. Confirmed guests include: Adam Clayton (U2), Sam Fender, Skin (Skunk Anansie) and Miles Kane.

In addition to this, heat have spoken to Amy Hart about her experiences of mental health and support received from Love Island producers; Zoe Sugg has spoken to Grazia about her experiences of anxiety and Creative Editorial Director Lucie Cave will be hosting a panel on trolling at the Festival of Marketing. This activity follows successful campaigns by Trail (Mountains for the Mind) and Country Walking (#Walk1000Miles) encouraging further transparency around mental health.

To take part in Where’s Your Head At’s social media blackout visit: http://www.wheresyourheadat.org/blackout/

To find out more about Where’s Your Head At? and how you can support visit: http://www.wheresyourheadat.org/

ENDS

 

About the ‘Where’s Your Head At?’ campaign
‘Where’s Your Head At?’ is a campaign partnership between Bauer Media UK, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England and Natasha Devon MBE. It launched during Mental Health Awareness Week 2018 by calling for a change in health and safety legislation to put mental and physical first aid on an equal footing. The associated petition garnered support from a host of celebrities and MPs, and has gained over 210,000 signatures in the past year.

In November 2018, more than 50 industry leaders and executives from the likes of WHSmith, PwC, Ford and Royal Mail all came together to back the campaign’s call through an open letter to the Prime Minister.

In 2019, Where’s Your Head At? launched the Workplace Manifesto calling for a working world where mental health is supported and protected, and where wellbeing is at the heart of all we do.

In this world, we’ll talk openly about our mental health at work, we won’t be afraid to ask for support when needed, and we’ll thrive in both work and life. After all, we spend a third of our adult lives in the workplace, and we shouldn’t have to leave our mental health at the door each morning. The manifesto has now been signed by 623 people including Matt Hancock MP, (Secretary of State for Health and Social Care), Nicky Morgan MP (Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) and Jo Swinson (Leader of Liberal Democrats).

Visit: http://www.wheresyourheadat.org/ to find out more.

About Bauer Media Group

Bauer Media Group has become an enduringly successful media corporation by focusing on creating content that matters most to millions of people around the world: from print and online publishing to radio and money-helper services for consumers, as well as sales and marketing services for SMB. Family-owned in the 6th generation, Bauer focuses on the long term, with a consumer-first mindset that guides us across our increasingly diverse portfolio. Our workforce of 11,500 shares a passion – to deliver content and services that are popular with, and helpful to, our customers and partners.

 

For more information please contact:

Cat Martin – Communications Director, Bauer Media 
E: cat.martin@bauermedia.co.uk | T: 07932 746363

Sian Collins – Senior Commercial Communications Executive, Bauer Media

E: Sian.collins@bauermedia.co.uk  | M: 07718 124791

Latest News

27 March 2024

Bauer Media Audio secures 29 nominations at ARIAS 2024

Read More
21 March 2024

Bauer wins big at 2024 Commercial Radio News Awards

Read More
18 March 2024

Bauer Media awarded with TAG Brand Safety Recertification

Read More
15 March 2024

Chris Jones appointed CFO of Bauer Media Audio UK

Read More
13 March 2024

Sam Sax named KISS’ Chosen One in partnership with VOXI

Read More