Social Media Mental health

This week we focus on TikTok and a new way to combat unhealthy self-image through mental health resources. The goal , experts say, is to make the platform as safe as can be during #suicidepreventionmonth. The message is widespread to be kind and love others but how can younger audiences attracted to TikTok have access to resources to minimize risk. September is National Suicide Prevention month and the #mentalhealth views on the app are over 16 billion.

There is a basic lack of understanding when coping with a loved one or friend who is living with depression.

The conversations after scrolling through your phone all day can shift to focus on what you do not have, are not going to and how you look. TikTok coming into popularity during March 2020 my focus is with medium in addition to Nadia Adessi’s( 1.3 millin followers on TikTok) thoughts on mental health resources ; “It was not until a video on TikTok made them realize that this was a disorder and they were not alone,” she said. “Therefore, yes, I believe [TikTok] is improving lives and even saving lives in some cases.

Demi Lovato experienced an overdose in 2018 and publicly addressed it to create awareness for IG followers in the millions. They have shared that they tried to take their own life in interviews and went to seek help.

Many people re-watched The Office during lockdown where mental health was the the punchline of the joke, this does not translate to real life.

We are all familiar with the idea of friends online and the real group of people you spend time with everyday. This has been a point of concern for younger audiences in the backdrop of the pandemic, is too much time on TikTok an empty experience for those who face mental health challenges regularly? “We’re honored people feel safe and comfortable sharing their personal journeys and experiences on TikTok and are proud to partner with experts to provide survivors, friends, and family in our community with access to well-being support and information,” Tara Wadhwa, director of policy for TikTok US, said in a email. The landscape is changing, its been 2 years of quarantine and lockdowns all across the globe. I see social media platforms as the news source and daily dose of feel good for much of the population here in US. Platforms such as Youtube or Instagram are powerful enablers of social change and Milennials are taking advantage of the self-care movement and passing it onto Gen X.

CONTROL ALTER DELETE

This is a popular trick for computers and much like the complexity of computers , humans are not meant to withdraw and live solitarily without feelings of support, love or friendship. After reading NBC news TikTok has new mental health resources for its users. Some experts say it’s a good start. (nbcnews.com) posted today about this trend, I knew I could personally use feelings I have had about inadequacy and fear of being left out. I have friends who have felt hurt enough to self -harm and the signs of depression were a barrier in our friendship. The online community can help so much in these situations, self presentation vs construed identity are warped in cases of suicide, the way we behave around others vs how we believe others see us.

In conclusion, the everyday scrolling can help save lives! This is a heavy topic that deserves as much representation from survivors and mental health professionals who have the background chops to give clear insight. Social media platforms have become a space for our kids and marginalized adolescents … to really express themselves, to identify and relate to one another,” said Phyllis Alongi, the former clinical director for the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide and I couldn’t agree more. Follow the #Bethe1to on Twitter!