Hey, y’all. We’re a little more than halfway through Mental Health Awareness Month, and if you haven’t already, now is the *perfect* time to practice self-care and to share crucial mental health resources with your family and friends. Read on to see how the DoSomething community is boosting others’ self-esteem online and how you can join them this month and beyond.

Let's Do This,

Ben (he/him), Editor-in-chief

What’s Not Pictured: How the DoSomething Community is Lifting Up Their Friends This Mental Health Awareness Month

This past year saw a lot of folks spend their time increasingly online, and while social media can help us stay connected and find community, research shows that social media can also contribute to negative self-esteem and negative self-image. For example, among teens active on social networks, 22% reported feeling bad about themselves when nobody comments on or “likes” the photos they post.

The good news is, studies also show that positive messages from friends can have a huge impact on young people’s self-image, self-esteem, and mental health. Through DoSomething’s What’s Not Pictured campaign, young people are making a difference for their friends during Mental Health Awareness Month (and beyond!).

DoSomething members are powering a movement on social media to highlight the things that truly make their friends great -- especially the things that a photo can’t fully capture.

“She has been a fighter since the day she was born. I always look up to her when I need a little encouragement to be strong. She is the strongest woman I know,” says DoSomething member Tori, describing #WhatsNotPictured in a post about her friend Robin. “I cannot see my life without her in it...She is a shooting star that never runs out of light. I hold her so dear to me. I cherish every advice and memory she has ever given me.”

Negative self-image has been found to play a role in the development of mental health issues like depression, anxiety, addiction and eating disorders. By lifting up your friends and sharing resources for self-care and mental health, we can make social media a more positive place for young people’s mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing.

May 20 is Mental Health Action Day. Take action for your loved ones’ mental health by joining our movement for self-love on social media.

Meet 11 DoSomething members… who are confronting colorism and want you to join their fight.

Speaking of confronting colorism (and featurism and texturism)... check out Darkest Hue, founded by 21-year-old college student TK Saccoh, which advocates and provides resources for dark-skinned Black women and girls.

Use technology to solve real-world problems… alongside like-minded students and mentors from companies like Google, Apple, and Tesla. Apply to join The Knowledge Society before May 31!

This week is Black joy… a great-grandmother just received her college degree at the age of 78.

More Amazing Impact From the DoSomething Community!

We asked you to brag about the amazing stuff you’re doing, and you did not disappoint. Here are some of our favorite answers from the DoSomething community. (Psst...submit yours here!)

“Planned an outdoor concert featuring young musicians to raise critical funds for funding Fine Arts in public schools.”

- DoSomething member Ruby, 16, Florida

“I started an organization called project mentalicious, where we focus on advocating for the mental health of teens, as well as fighting the stigma of mental health in households where it is not accepted.”

- DoSomething member Bethel, 16, Virginia

“I recently received my certificate in Child Advocacy Studies Training (CAST), which is a program designed to prepare students who work in child-serving professions to better respond to child maltreatment.”

- DoSomething member Dameia, 24, Mississippi