Important Information

When our staff and volunteers are very busy, it’s unlikely that we’ll be able to publish your blog immediately. We might also decide to delay the publishing of your blog if it fits in well with an upcoming campaign, project or even a time of year, like Christmas, Men's Health Day or World Mental Health Day. Your patience is very much appreciated.

We publish our blogs with the first name of it’s author. You don’t have to use your real name if you don’t want to. We understand some people haven’t told their friends, family or employer about their mental health problem and aren’t yet ready to. If you don't want to share your name, we can use a pseudonym – just let us know when you submit your story.

We’d also like to include picture of you in your blog. This image shouldn’t blurry or include any other people. A picture of you from shoulders up works really well (please turn your phone on it's side!), but you might want to submit something that reflects the theme of your blog. For example, if you’re blogging about looking after your wellbeing through running, send a snap of you in your running kit and trainers! If you prefer not to submit a photo, please let us know.

We will also point people to your blog on our Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn pages. If you prefer to not use your name or picture on social media, please let us know.

We will usually edit your final blog for clarity, readability or to maintain our house style. If we change your blog significantly, we will send it back to you to view before publishing.

By submitting a blog, vlog, name or picture, you are confirming that Solent Mind has permission to publish these (in full or as a quote) on our website, social media, leaflets, posters and more. If you have any concerns or change your mind at any time and want to remove your blog, please contact communications@solentmind.org.uk.

It’s not always possible to publish your submissions. Here’s a few possible reasons why:

• We like sharing the personal stories of those with lived experiences, so we don’t publish political commentaries, academic research or essays.
• Further to this, we don’t accept blogs that are written solely to advertise a product, service or event and we don’t purchase blogs from professional copy writers.
• We also don’t publish triggering descriptions of suicide or self harm. If you choose to talk about these things, focus on the feelings rather than the behaviours and avoid giving detailed descriptions or talking about methods.
• We know that living with a mental health problem comes with it’s fair share of frustrations, however we will be unable to publish blogs that are overly aggressive, offensive or could cause upset or harm to a reader. If you’re finding that your blog might be turning out this way, take a step back and re-visit it when you feel more calm or share it with a loved one for a second opinion.

How to submit your blog

• Email communications@solentmind.org.uk
• Include your name, the best way to contact you and any requests you may have for us (see our Important things section)
• Attach a word document of your blog – this should ideally be around 1,200-1,800 words)
• If you’re submitting a vlog, please attach this to your email as a mp4 file or if it’s too big, use a site like WeTransfer.
• Attach a photo of you (see our Important things section above)