Have your say: Highlights from our Twitter Q&A

On Twitter, we asked followers of @psychmag some questions linked to the main themes of this issue. Here's what you had to say.

What's missing from mental health awareness campaigns?

Dom Conroy @dom_conroy - What feels missing sometimes (and this is difficult) is addressing, head on, the difficulty of escaping the phrase 'mental health' in campaigns. Or, more generally, acknowledging difficulties in finding neutral, inclusive language without stigma.

Leah Graham @LeahGra28509858 - How friends and family can be helpful when someone opens up about their mental health. Many campaigns focus on 'talking to someone' or asking your friends if they're OK. It's pointless if people don't know how to respond.

Lisa-Marie Emerson @re_psycled - Autistic representation.

"Recovery – that you can emerge stronger, kinder, more empathetic and be a better person yourself and for those around you." Gen I @Genevievelleris

Burnley Counselling Services @BurnleyPsych - Many mental health awareness campaigns focus on mental 'disorders' not mental health. Could we have more constructive and pragmatic ideas to help people with mental 'disorders' other than taking a walk in nature?

The general public in the UK still do not understand the benefits of talking therapy as shown by the Mental Health Million Project. We need to use more accessible language than 'It's a process' or 'We don't give advice'

Andy Salkeld @andy_salkeld - Mental health action campaigns!

Horticultural Obbit @HorticulturalH - Counsellors and Psychotherapists; somehow get bypassed with the medical model.

Ruth (Online) Therapist @RuthFT - Funding.

Polly @IntervalThinks - Everything. Coalface 24/7, life in wards, day centres, lack of hope by professionals, chronicity being pushed, un-evidence-based meds, and their nasty effects, etc.

Zottie @ZoeVx - Info for the general public about what different psychological interventions involve.

What TV/film/music etc do you recommend for a deeper understanding of lived experience?

Dr Erik Simmons @ErikSimmons6 - For kids/adults who like superheroes and animated shows, I really enjoyed 'Young Justice: Phantoms'. The whole Beast Boy Arc was one of the best cartoon depictions of PTSD and depression I've seen.

"Gabor Mate – 'Antwone Fisher' is an interesting exploration of male complex trauma recovery/growth." Rob Balfour @RobDBalfour1

Miriam King @MiriamKing01 - Saga Norén from 'The Bridge'. Fantastic representation of a woman with Asperger's/high functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder.

How has your own lived experience and mental health shaped your psychological research and / or practice?

Dulari Ranasinghe @DulariR - Losing my mom to MND in 2020 and facing a range of emotions, even when her death was expected, led me to go for Grief Counselling. A positive experience with my therapist led me to eventually start my own practice called Mind Leap Counselling. Grateful for this journey.

"People close to me have experienced physical health difficulties… I want to help people to manage their mental health despite those." Leanne Hague @LeanneHague5

SarahPsych @PsychologySazza - I was working for a dating app when my interest was piqued into how we use digital to form relationships, especially as an obsessive but 'unsuccessful' dating app user. Subsequently started a conversion degree to Psychology with the view to starting a research PhD.

Ana Clara Falcão @anaclarafalcao - I found out I'm autistic and as a psychologist, I'm doing my post-graduation focused on it. I want to help people.