Bauer radio stations join social media blackout

Bauer Media brands are going silent on social media for one hour today to mark World Mental Health Day.

The initiative, commissioned by Where’s Your Head At? reveals the worries surrounding the effects of social media on mental health.

Bauer Media brands including Absolute Radio, Grazia, heat, Magic, Closer and Hits Radio will be calling on their audiences to join them in a social media blackout from 1-2pm. During this time, these brands will refrain from posting or commenting and will call on audiences to start face to face conversations – hoping to encourage open discussions around mental health in support of Where’s Your Head At?

Commenting on the activity, Abby Carvosso Group Managing Director Bauer Media Advertising said, “At Bauer Media, we firmly believe your mental health is as important as your physical health which is why our Where’s Your Head At? mission is so critical.

“Whilst social media can be a force for good, our audiences are telling us a short social break can have a positive impact on their mental health which is why we’re enacting our first social media blackout from across our brand portfolio.”

Other activity from across Bauer Media to mark World Mental Health Day includes programming from Absolute Radio to promote positive mental health conversations: Time to Listen, which is funded by the Audio Content Fund and produced in partnership with TBI Media.

This series will see some musicians and comedians talking about the songs which have inspired them, the songs which they turn to in times of darkness and the songs which signpost the best moments in their life. One story and song will be played each weeknight from Monday 14th October at 7.30pm on Danielle Perry’s evening show with directions of where to get support. Confirmed guests include Adam Clayton (U2), Sam Fender, Skin (Skunk Anansie) and Miles Kane.

Paul Sylvester, Content Director Absolute Radio said, “Absolute Radio is committed to raising awareness of the need to have open, honest and authentic conversations around mental health. Our aim with this project is to show how music soundtracks the best and worst times in everyone’s lives – even our music and comedy heroes. If one person takes direct action and gets help, this project will have succeeded. We’re incredibly grateful to the Audio Content Fund for allowing us to make what we believe is really important radio and it’s great to partner again with the excellent team at TBI Media.”