12 Oct 2012

Social media can help young people cope - foundation

6:38 am on 12 October 2012

The Mental Health Foundation says social media are becoming an important tool to help young people including rangatahi, cope with issues such as depression.

As part of this week's mental health awareness week, the foundation has developed an activity on Twitter, for people to share what they see going on around them.

Chief executive Judi Clements said some people are concerned about the internet and social media and that they're just a distraction, but there are many benefits, which include young people being able to connect with each other.

Ms Clements said the youth suicide figures for Maori are still far too high, so any way the foundation can provide positive messages which will reach rangatahi is worthwhile.

She said international research has shown that actively using one's senses to take notice of something every day, really helps a person's mental well-being.