Theres a common trend on social media in which people share advice courtesy of their therapist.
Maybe the reader doesnt have access to a therapist or simply needed a mental health pick-me-up.
In any case, these posts can give them the little boost and understanding they need.
This trend is just one of many within the increasingly mental health-filled social media world.
The answer is complicated and requires starting with one of the causes for this meteoric rise: the pandemic.
Since March 2020, individuals have collectively experienced isolation and uncertainty at an immense scale.
This proved to be a difficult time for the world, as people experienced anxiety,depression, loneliness.
In many ways, the rise of mental health discussions helped to fill a painful void.
Click below to listen now.
Isolation could have eroded any chance at connecting over shared mental health experiences.
Instead, social media provided an avenue to foster relatedness.
Alongside regular individuals, therapists who share on social media can reap some benefits.
It is public information that can be consumed by anyone irrespective of their particular mental health issue or need.
In contrast, Butlers one-on-one sessions focus on individual mental health concerns and goals.
This distraught reaction may worsen existing mental health issues.
Influencer status does not equal credibility, says Butler.
A large following does not equal credibility, and a small following does not mean less credibility.
Butler and Morris caution that some people will misdiagnose themselves or those around them with made up terms.
These posts may also skew realistic timelines on everything from learning coping mechanisms to managing troubling symptoms.
Influencers can make it seem like its a quick fix butmental health treatmentcan be a journey, says Denais.
Research has tied social media use itself to mental health issues.
According to a 2016 study, the negative impact of high social media use extends beyond teens.
One of the most critical ways to accomplish this?
Pay attention to your sources qualifications.
Definitely Google these people, says Morris.
Individuals with active licenses can be looked up in every state.
These accounts may be better served as places to find inspirational quotes and bring up the conversation further.
However, these are general statements and dont reflect how unique each persons health is.
If something absorbed on social media resonates, speak with a trusted loved one or mental health professional.
2016;33(4):323-331. doi:10.1002/da.22466
