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Petra Boynton Profile picture
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3 Feb, 8 tweets, 2 min read
This exchange needs studying with care. “Mental health” is being framed in a very specific way with a clear intention. Look for the buzzwords of resilience and positivity and being mentally well so you can contribute to a better future. Who is brought in and left out by this?
As with my comments yesterday about enforcing “wellness” while ignoring structural harms and causes of distress, the framing of “mental health” as something positive we should all have in the future without attending to who and what is making us unwell *now* is concerning.
The logical endpoints of these messages are that mental health is a good thing we all have and should strive for with grit and gumption and if we don’t have it it’ll be due to not trying hard enough rather than circumstances, life events, social factors and political decisions.
Here’s a longer thread about compulsory wellbeing and resilience responses
Alongside analysing the discourse(s) in that video upthread there's a secondary study to look at who's raising critical questions and concerns (including about CAMHS and wider mental health provision and care) and who is eagerly supporting the film or ideas proposed with in it.
There are questions to ask on how 'mental health' is conceptualised, how it fits historically and compares with other areas (e.g. disability, poverty), what care's offered, who benefits. And without being disingenuous to note for some it's an area of genuine care, others a grift
You can be very caring and want to make a difference and note that we are struggling (and have been struggling) to attend to mental distress. But your solutions to it are not fit for purpose until they go right to the heart of why people are being hurt and made unwell.
Another question to ask is why this approach and why now? (outside of #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek). Why have calls from so many other sources and diverse solutions to problems (including from children and young people themselves) been dismissed up until now?

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More from @DrPetra

Petra Boynton Profile picture
1 Feb
Today's #ResearchTip is about responding to evaluations/criticisms. These may be something formal (part of career progression, or at the close of an event) or informal (a passing comment) and may be solicited (you ask for feedback) or unsolicited (you didn't ask for it) /1
Where possible give yourself time to process feedback. If you're lucky it can be positive, affirming etc. Sometimes it can be tough. And if you're in a bad place even nice feedback/helpful evaluations may not feel like it. So, make some space and prepare yourself first /2
I find taking notes as I go through feedback helps me focus and be less anxious. (Also saves time if you're going to respond). I use a 5 column table:
each piece of feedback/evaluation
what's good/useful
what's negative
what's misguided/irrelevant
what I'm going to do next /3
Read 19 tweets
Petra Boynton Profile picture
1 Feb
I've had lots of folk get in touch worried about mandatory wellbeing activities in schools, colleges and unis.
To clarify,pushing people to do wellbeing activities as decided by an employer/educator is wrong.
As are hosting wellbeing activities without changing underlying harms
If you want to offer wellbeing activities these should only be after you attend to any causes of distress and:
- delivered at the request of others
- be varied, accessible and optional
- allow people to choose their own activities (including doing absolutely nothing if desired)
Pushing people to 'be well', including digital surveillance that wellbeing activities have been completed, will not help anyone.

Also mindfulness is not synonymous with wellbeing and may be unpleasant or harmful for some people, so should not be set as a compulsory standard.
Read 23 tweets
Petra Boynton Profile picture
9 Jan
You’ve heard the word “vulnerable children” used a lot recently but you might not know what it means. While it can vary between U.K. countries the description here gov.scot/publications/c… is a useful overview A screenshot of the categor...
children and teens identified as vulnerable are already disadvantaged and both deserve and require additional support. If schools are full of children who are not in these categories the vital care needed by already marginalised children will be reduced or put at risk.
If you’re unsure if your child should be in school but think they may be vulnerable (see above) speak to the school about it. If they don’t fit that category but your workplace is making it impossible for you to both work and homeschool - push back!
Read 6 tweets
Petra Boynton Profile picture
9 Jan
If you got through last week, be proud of yourself. If you’re not working today you may find all kinds of stress being released or anxiety feelings increasing. It’s an understandable reaction but if it’s troubling you there’s some free help below ⬇️
Mental health resources for Black people in need of care nostartoguideme.com/mhcareforblack…
Practical help for you and your community in frightening and dangerous times nostartoguideme.com/practical-help…
Read 5 tweets
Petra Boynton Profile picture
9 Jan
Many families have been torn apart by a relative who’s been radicalised and who not only doesn’t share the values of their kin but may become increasingly difficult or dangerous to be around. Especially those who are caught up with conspiracies and delusions.
In some cases families share the same hateful views.

But you may be someone with a partner/relative who’s become unrecognisable, who’s deep in conspiracies and unsafe to be around or has rejected or abandoned you.We need provision and assistance for families in these situations
The grief, fear and trauma for those whose friends and loved ones have been radicalised or who may caught up in conspiracies deserves more empathy and recognition. It’s easy to blame people who had no ability to stop a loved ones descent into radicalisation and paranoia
Read 4 tweets
Petra Boynton Profile picture
9 Jan
Today’s #ResearchTip is if you request information from another person as part of your research/practice and they share ideas,resources and tools with you, remember to thank them and acknowledge their labour. We’re all busy but don’t let this slide. Set a reminder if necessary /1
This is especially important during the pandemic when everyone is stretched to the limit and minoritised folk especially disadvantaged. If YOU ask THEM for help and they take time to respond, even if you don’t like what they share or it isn’t as useful as you hoped, thank them /2
Note also if they send information you can now work with (after thanking them) so you don’t persistently ask questions you could find answers to yourself. And where possible if you are requesting considerable amounts of time/labour/expertise formalise and budget for it /3
Read 8 tweets

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