A grounded theory exploration of the key role of self-kindness in how young people practice mental health self-care in everyday life

Objectives: Mental health self-care often includes resources and activities which are easily accessible and have the potential to benefit mental health and wellbeing. This study aimed to explore how young people with experience of mental health difficulties put mental health self-care into practice in their everyday lives. Methods: A constructivist grounded theory was developed from interviews conducted with fourteen young people aged 16-25 years with experience of mental health difficulties. Participatory research methods involved young people in the design of the study and data analysis. Results: The theory demonstrates a central role of self-kindness in three key processes: Creating space for self-care; Knowing when and how to self-care and Enabling daily life and wellbeing. Each of these processes supported each other, with self-care involving continuous learning about how to care for mental health in a way that finds a balance between challenging themselves and respecting their limits. Conclusions: This study extends current theory and research by focusing on young people’s perspectives of how they practice mental health self-care and the impacts on their wellbeing and daily lives. The theory provides a practical foundation to support young people to use resources in their everyday lives to care for their mental health.