Mental Health campaigner, writer and film producer, Jonny Benjamin, MBE, joined the launch event for the release of an innovative mental health app, ‘Silver Linings’ by our Trust on Thursday 12 January 2017.
‘Silver Linings’ has been designed to help young people with psychosis in their recovery, through encouraging self-management of their symptoms and engaging with their treatment. The app also helps individuals to track their mood, exercise levels and sleep quality. ‘Silver Linings’ was created by clinicians from BSMHFT, app experts from web development firm Appadoodle, and young people themselves.
Jonny Benjamin was invited to the launch as he is known for mental health campaigning and creating YouTube videos about mental health. During his presentation to over 70 of the Trust’s service users and staff, Jonny talked about his upbringing, his struggles with his mental health and his recovery journey.
Jonny, during his presentation, said: “I believe things are changing and getting better. It can be a constant battle, but it’s a message from both me - and the app - that there is hope. I wish there had been something like [Silver Linings] around when I was younger.”
Dr Erin Turner, Consultant Psychiatrist at BSMHFT, also presented at the event, discussing the journey of the app from initial ideas to its creation. Jamie Pragnall, Managing Director of web development firm Wyamee, also presented, focusing on the functionality of the app. They agreed that although the app has been created for young people suffering from psychosis, it may be useful for anyone, as it looks at mental health and health more broadly.
