As part of the 'Making the World A Kinder Place' day of Mental Health Awareness Week 2020, it is important to be mindful of our online presence as well as our offline presence.

Join Annette and Matthew as we explore their journeys through social media and the impact it can have on mental health and wellbeing.

Find out more about our guests below:

JOHN FINNIGAN

John Finnigan is a Student Wellbeing Adviser at Queen's, and has specific responsibility for promoting Safe and Healthy Relationships. John has over 25 years’ experience as a youth worker, working with young adults in a number of fields including addiction, juvenile justice and for over 10 years with young people in the care system.  During this period, John recognised the impact that abuse can have on people’s wellbeing and became a passionate champion in tackling abuse, providing support and promoting the empowerment of survivors, which led to working on the theme of sexual exploitation for the past 8 years.

ANNETTE KELLY

Annette Kelly hails from Carrickmore, Co. Tyrone. Together with her sister Orla, they co-founded Little Penny Thoughts, which focuses on 'daily pockets of positivity' via the Little Penny Book of Thoughts, daily social media inspiration, public speaking, and "Wellness From Within" workshops.

She has built up over half a million followers across social media channels, and uses her platform to promote postiive wellbeing.

MATTHEW THOMPSON

Matthew Thompson is a writer, podcaster and storyteller from Northern Ireland. After building one of the largest online profiles in the country, he said goodbye to 50k followers in 2018 to prioritise his mental health, focus his creative-efforts and invest in his most important relationships. 

His weekly interview podcast, Best Of Belfast features 150+ unfiltered conversations with incredible local people like Gary Lightbody, Zoe Salmon, Oliver Jeffers, Mary Peters and is 100% funded by people who love Northern Ireland and believe we have a better story to tell. 

STEVE McNEILL

Steven McNeill qualified as a social worker in 2001 and worked in children and family social work until 2013 when he commenced work surrounding Child Sexual Exploitation.  Steve has always had a keen interest in technology, it’s uses and abuses.  As part of his role he sits on the South Eastern Sexual and Domestic Violence Partnership.  During this time, Steve has developed awareness raising sessions surrounding technology and domestic abuse, looking at how perpetrators can use technology to coerce, control and abuse.  These sessions have been provided on a regular basis to professionals across Northern Ireland and continue to be developed and built upon on the latest technology.

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This initiaive is being delivered as part of our Mental Health Awareness Week. For our full Programme, please click here!

If you have any queries about this initiative, please contact the organiser using the details at the bottom of this page!