Join us this January as we spotlight incredible creators who are passionate about mental health and wellness! These inspiring individuals are using their platforms to break stigmas, promote self-care, and empower others to prioritise their wellbeing. Whether it's sharing personal journeys and advice, or mindful wellness practices, these creators are making a meaningful impact, like Sole Mates Run Club founder, Aoibhinn Raleigh [@aoibhqueen].
Q: What first inspired you to talk about mental health/wellness on TikTok?
A: I originally started making content on TikTok as a creative outlet, however, the more comfortable I got posting the more I felt I wanted to share. Mental health/wellness has always been a really important aspect of my life and TikTok felt like the right platform to be able to talk freely about these issues. It is an extremely open platform and watching other creators share their stories in different ways inspired me to share mine and I was blown away by the support I received from my TiKTok community. Seeing the impact it was having and how many people resonated with my own journey inspired me to share more - to show people they are not alone in it and it is normal to have hard days, but what matters is how you tackle them.
Q: What’s your favourite thing about connecting with your community through mental wellbeing and wellness-focused content?
A: My favourite part has been meeting like-minded people and in doing so being able to build a community, not only online but also physically through starting my own run club, Sole Mates Dublin. My community on TikTok was an integral part of getting it up and running and now it is the most special community who meet every week without fail to run together, have a bit of fun, and most importantly do something good for themselves and their mental health. Connecting with this community has really changed my life and hopefully, it has for others too.
Q: What TikTok video have you made about mental health that stands out to you as your favourite, and why?
A: It is funny to call it my favourite given the subject matter but it would have to be my video opening up about my alcohol addiction. When I initially released the video it was not something I had publicly talked about, a lot of my friends didn’t even know and publishing it was maybe one of the scariest things I have ever done. However, I knew the difference it would have made to me if I had seen it ten years ago when I first started drinking and I just did it. I still cannot believe the support I received after posting it from hundreds of thousands of people all across the world.The reason it has become my favourite is firstly, I met so many people going through the same struggle online who wanted to talk about it or felt inspired to get help after watching it, and secondly it really helped me in accepting this piece of my journey that I have felt so ashamed of for years as I realised that people didn’t feel differently about me once they knew - in fact they supported me further. Being able to help other young people struggling with alcohol addiction has been an amazing part of my journey and without this video it would not have happened.
Q: What TikTok creators in the wellness or mental health space inspire you the most?
A: I think @hollymorridge is probably my favourite at the moment - I love how down to earth and open she is when speaking on mental health issues she is going through. @getbetterwithchris is also amazing and has the most incredible story. He definitely has been a huge inspiration to me when it came to sharing my own story and of course, using running as a tool to help your mental health. @aoifeofarrell and @lilyshervy also - they do a mix of lifestyle and mental health and are incredible women.
Q: What’s the most rewarding part of being a mental health advocate/creator on TikTok
A: The most rewarding part of being a mental health advocate on TikTok is the hundreds of messages I have received from people who resonate with my videos, have felt inspired to ask for help or open up to their support network after watching, or feel like they're not alone after watching. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that my content is making a positive impact and providing support to others. All I ever wanted to do by sharing my story was help even one person and doing that has been amazing.
Q: Have you noticed any trends or changes in how people engage with mental health and wellness content on TikTok?
A: I think people are becoming a lot more open to it and in fact, are actively searching for it. It seems people are searching for creators who are ‘like them’ and moving away from the ‘perfect life’ content we used to mostly share on social media. I am seeing more and more people share their own stories as time goes on and it truly is amazing to see.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting their mental health journey?
A: Be patient and gentle with yourself. Healing and growth take time, and it's okay to not have everything figured out right away or to ask for help. Celebrate small wins and remember that progress is not always linear—there will be ups and downs, and that's completely normal. What matters is how you tackle it, so keep showing up for yourself and remember you are not alone - there is so much help available, so please ask for help if you need it.