Pinterest introduces wellness activities to support mental health of users
Platform launches new activities following increase in searches related to anxiety and stress
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Your support makes all the difference.Pinterest has launched a series of new wellbeing activities on the social media platform in order to provide mental health support for its users.
The aim of the interactive activities is to help soothe individuals who are feeling anxious, stressed or sad.
They have been created in collaboration with Brainstorm, the Stanford Lab for Mental Health Innovation, and Pinterest has also received guidance from mental health organisation Vibrant Emotional Health and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
The activities are being made available to all Pinterest users in the US on iPhones and Android smartphones over the next few weeks.
When Pinterest users in the US search for mental health-related terms such as "stress quotes" or "work anxiety", a prompt will appear asking whether they would like to explore the platform's wellbeing resources.
The resources include activities such as deep breathing exercises and tips on how to practise self-compassion.
If a person searches for terms related to self-harm, they will be directed to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Pinterest explains that use of the platform's wellbeing resources are kept private and are not tracked, with the activity being logged anonymously by a third-party service.
This means that advertisements based on users' searches will not be used when they use the platform on a day-to-day basis.
Pinterest explains that the new interactive activities have been introduced after the company noted an increase in searches on the platform related to anxiety and stress.
"In the last year there have been millions of searches in the US related to emotional health on Pinterest," states Annie Ta, product manager at Pinterest.
"Over the years we’ve worked with experts to make it easy for people in distress to access supportive resources.
"Together we wanted to create a more compassionate, actionable experience that tries to address a broader emotional spectrum of what Pinners [Pinterest users] may be looking for."
Several Pinterest users praised the company with regards to its newly introduced wellbeing resources.
"Amazing work! Can't wait to try it," one person wrote on Instagram.
"Love this idea!" another added.
For mental health support, you can contact the Mind helpline by calling 0300 123 3393, texting 86463 or emailing info@mind.org.uk. The helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am until 6pm, except on bank holidays.
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