“We can't always control how we feel. It's being able to acknowledge or be aware of that feeling and be able to do something to help us manage in that moment... It's okay to not feel okay.” - David Brown, If U Care Share

Inclusive Change at Work CIC and Digital Safety CIC are working in tandem to host The Castle Conference in Bristol on April 25, 2024, focusing on digital safety and wellbeing for young people.

I spoke to David Brown, head of training and development at If U Care Share (and speaker at the conference!), a suicide prevention charity based in the Northeast. David shared insights into the organisation's work, emphasising the importance of prevention, intervention, and support for those affected by suicide.

In the digital age we live in, where screens are a constant companion and online interactions shape a significant part of our lives, it's more important than ever to prioritise our mental health and wellbeing. Organisations like If U Care Share are at the forefront of supporting individuals, especially young people, in navigating wellbeing and suicide prevention.

If U Care Share offers workshops, one-to-one support, and practical resources to help individuals at risk. Their approach combines lived experience, emotional support, and referrals to therapy when needed, recognising the challenges of bereavement by suicide.

We explored the connection between digital safety and mental health, and spoke about the need for open conversations about online behaviour and the influence of social media on overall wellbeing.

David highlighted the importance of balancing digital and offline activities, normalising conversations about mental health, and empowering young people to lead the dialogue on online safety. He also recommended resources, like the Hub of Hope, a comprehensive directory of mental health services accessible to those in need of support.

The upcoming Castle Conference aims to build a collective front against digital dangers by uniting experts and the community. To book your ticket visit https://icaw-cic.com/events_

You can listen to this conversation on Spotify here

The video of our conversation is available on Youtube here