People are sharing their #HappyPlaces to raise awareness and money to tackle mental illness

In times of darkness and hardship, we all need a happy place to go to.

That's the idea behind #HappyPlaces, a new social media campaign launched this week (Mental Health Awareness Week) to try and get people talking about mental health. "Social media, actually any form of media affects they way you think and the person you become," the campaign's JustGiving page reads.

"In itself, media can greatly affect someone's state of mind, for better or worse. We wanted to take a social platform and bring some good to it. "The idea of #HappyPlaces is for you to upload a picture of your happy place, either with you in it or even an old photo from a great memory to Instagram, using the hashtag. "This should be where you go in times of need, during any battle with a mental issue or even in times of stress, let us know your story. Your #HappyPlace makes you feel better and it could work for others."

As well as raising awareness and trying to spark conversations, the campaign is also raising money for mental health charity Mind, which you can contribute to here. Check out some of the posts already contributed, and if you've got a picture of your happy place, join in with the hashtag #HappyPlaces.

A post shared by as above so below (@tremulant_) on May 8, 2017 at 11:52am PDT

"I struggle with depression and anxiety. The stressors of modern society can sometimes make it worse, but to find a vantage point from which the whole city can be viewed, allows for incredible moments of happiness and clarity. Overlooking the entirety of a city breathes life into me like nothing else."  

A post shared by Matt Smith (@mattsmith9934) on May 9, 2017 at 8:58am PDT

"My #happyplaces for #mentalawarenessweek"  

A post shared by Chris (@thetechcreative) on May 8, 2017 at 11:29am PDT

"A few years ago I started taking photography seriously. This unwittingly became more than just a hobby. I started seeking new places because I was/still am obsessed with freezing a moment you can go back to and vividly remember what it felt like. This picture symbolises my happy place because when I look at it I'm brought back to that day, and those memories come right back."  

A post shared by Joe Charman (@joe_charman) on May 9, 2017 at 4:42am PDT

"I'd give any thing to relive this moment - I loved my Grandad so much this will forever be - My Happy Place."