Most people think of self-harm as an issue that primarily affects teenage girls, but 1 in 4 boys aged 16- 25 self-harms.
The number of boys who self-harm is estimated to have increased by 300% since 2000, but the truth is, no one really knows how many boys self-harm because boys don't ask for help.
What we do know, is that boys who self-harm are 17 times more likely to die by suicide. Since suicide is now the leading cause of death in young people, and boys account for 75% of all youth suicides, providing boys with access to safe support is crucial.
The MeeTwo app already supports 4,000 boys, but we want to reach 8,000 by September. Our data shows a spike in panic attacks and suicidal ideation at the start of term, so timing is important.
“I actually didn’t realise how much better this app can make someone feel. I love being able to ask my own questions and just the experience of trying to help even one other person helps me to feel happier too” @coolevilgod May, 2019
The money we raise will help us to run targeted campaigns via social media, and to develop in-app educational resources which are specifically designed to support boys who self-harm.
MeeTwo is a multi-award winning mental help app. We support 11,000 young people aged 11-23 and 35% of registered users are boys.
Anonymity makes it easier to talk about difficult things. It is particularly important for boys because it allows them to escape gender stereotypes and expectations.
Peer support allows boys to transform difficult life experiences into useful advice for other boys. It creates a virtuous circle where helping, helps the person who gives support, as much as it helps the person who gets it.
Research based. MeeTwo looks like social media, but it integrates the latest psychological research including nudge theory, priming and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). The app is specifically designed to help young people develop protective factors such as emotional resilience, empathy, social skills, stress management and coping techniques.
Safe. A team of moderators check all posts and replies in advance. High risk posts are examined by trained psychologists and supported within the app, or via third party support.
Effective. Following their own independently successful trials, the NHS Apps Library, Digital Health.London (NHS), Teach First, and CAMHS (NELFT) have endorsed the MeeTwo App, and we have working partnerships with Shout, Childline and the NSPCC.
Co-created. MeeTwo has been co-created with over 2,000 young people from across the UK.
MeeTwo is a finalist in this year's prestigious Tech4Good Award for Connected Society that is sponsored by BT and Samsung. Your 'likes', 'shares' and 'donations' will help us to raise the funds that we need to support boys who self harm AND give us a shot at winning the Tech4Good People's Choice Award.
MeeTwo Education was co-founded in 2015 by Dr Kerstyn Comley and Suzi Godson. Dr Kerstyn Comley is an education technologist and Suzi Godson is a research psychologist who is recognised as a leading expert in the field of sex and relationships. For more information or press enquiries email us at [email protected]