There’s an obvious mental health theme in my recent posts – Why crying is good for you and Why we need to be more open about our mental health – reflecting my interest in the topic and lived experience. It can still feel like a taboo subject and one that not everyone wants to read about.
However, when it comes to social media platforms and mental health, there are discussions worth having around how helpful and unhelpful these channels can be for those feeling struggling and searching for support.
Pros of using Social Media for Mental Health Support
Access to Supportive Communities
One of the biggest advantages of social media is the ability to find communities where you can connect with people who understand your experiences. A lack of mental health services and, long waiting lists for those that do exist, often means that individuals turn to social media instead for support.
Research has shown that that many people with mental illness use social media to share their personal experiences, seek information about their mental health and treatment options. They also give and receive support from others facing similar challenges (Bucci et al. 2019; Naslund et al. 2016b).
These communities can be especially helpful for those who feel isolated and lonely, or live in areas where in-person support options are limited, providing connection and interaction.
Reducing Stigma Through Shared Experiences
Social media allows people to share their stories and experiences with mental health in a way that can help reduce stigma. When influencers, celebrities, and everyday individuals like Ruby Granger open up about their struggles, it normalises the conversation around mental health.
Seeing others talk openly about their challenges can help individuals feel less alone and better understood, making it easier for them to seek help or open up in their own lives.
The fact that individuals can post anonymously can be helpful for those who have a diagnosed mental health illness that is heavily stigmatised (Highton-Williamson et al. 2015).
Online conversations do not require immediate responses or the use of non-verbal cues which can also make communicate and interaction easier for some (Kiesler et al. 1984). For those facing social anxieties linked to in-person interaction, online conversation can feel more fluid and within the control of users (Indian and Grieve, 2014).
Access to Resources and Information
Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X (formally Twitter) are full of mental health advocates, therapists, and organisations that share valuable information on managing mental health.
This can include tips for coping with stress, information on therapy options, or advice on self-care practices. For those who may not have immediate access to professional help, this content can serve as a stepping stone towards seeking formal support.
Examples of these channels from Instagram include:
@MindCharity
@youngmindsuk
@theblurtfoundation
@anxietyukofficial
@charliementalhealth
@dralexgeorge
Immediate Emotional Support
In moments of distress, being able to reach out to an online community can provide immediate emotional support. It’s often easier for some people to express themselves through a message or a post than in a face-to-face conversation.
When traditional support systems like friends or family aren’t available, social media can provide a sense of connection and understanding that can be comforting during difficult times.
Additionally, many young people with depression prefer to communicate on social media rather than face-to-face (Rideout and Fox 2018).
A tool for Programme delivery
Research by Naslund (2019) into individuals on X (formally Twitter) who openly disclosed they had a mental health diagnosis in the bio, found that 85% were interested in accessing programs delivered through social media designed to help people with mental illness including information on general wellness and dealing with symptoms.
This helped identify the potential offered by social media to expand the reach and availability of mental health services. This is particularly relevant to younger people who are known to use social media than any other demographic.
Cons of Social Media for Mental Health Support
Misinformation and Unqualified Advice
One of the most significant drawbacks of seeking mental health support on social media is the prevalence of misinformation. Not all advice found online is accurate or evidence based or from a reliable, credible source.
It can be difficult to distinguish between qualified professionals and untrained individuals offering advice. Not everyone online is who they say they are.
Following inaccurate guidance can be harmful, especially for those dealing with severe mental health conditions.
Exposure to self-harm
Writing in 2022, the Samaritans found that:
More than three quarters of people surveyed saw self-harm content online for the first time aged 14 with some being as young as 10.
They stated that the social media giants are not doing enough to address the issue of self-harm content being served to social media users in their personalised feeds, often without searching for it.
Since 2019, some sites have changed policies on self-harm and suicide introducing blurring of images, restrictions on posting and signposting and help-seeking messages. Whilst improvements have been made, there is still a long way to go.
This action was taken following the death of Molly Russell. After she took her own life at the end of just fourteen. Material relating to depression and suicide was found on her Instagram account. According to reporting by the BBC, the teenager used her Instagram account more than 120 times a day in the six months leading up to her death.
Comparisons and Unrealistic Expectations
While social media can connect people with similar experiences, it can also foster unhealthy comparisons, especially in the eating disorders community. Seeing others’ posts about their mental health progress can lead to feelings of inadequacy, especially when their recovery seems faster or easier.
It’s easy to forget that social media often shows only a curated version of reality, which can create unrealistic expectations about what recovery should look like. This can add pressure and make individuals feel like they’re not doing enough, which can worsen their mental health.
Cyberbullying and Negative Interactions
While there are many supportive communities online, social media can also be a breeding ground for negativity and cyberbullying. Vulnerable individuals may face trolling, harsh criticism, or invalidation when they share their struggles.
Negative interactions can be especially damaging when someone is already in a fragile mental state. Unlike controlled environments like therapy, social media lacks the safeguards that can prevent such harmful experiences. We should not be afraid to mute, block and unfollow accounts that hinder rather than help.
Importantly, cyberbullying on social media consistently shows harmful impact on mental health in the form of increased depressive symptoms as well as worsening of anxiety symptoms, as evidenced in a review of 36 studies among children and young people (Naslund et al, 2020).
Privacy Concerns
When sharing personal stories or struggles online, privacy is a significant concern. It’s easy to forget that social media platforms are public, and what you share can be accessed by many, including people you may not want to see those posts.
Even in private groups, there’s a risk that sensitive information could be shared outside of the intended audience. Screenshots can also be taken of posted and shared more publicly.
This can lead to feelings of vulnerability and regret after sharing too much, including information about their place of work, the place they are being treated, or their mental health diagnosis and symptoms, which could further impact one’s mental well-being.
Risks of overuse
Studies have found that heavy use and prolonged time spent on social media platforms, appears to contribute to poor wellbeing, particularly among young people, as well as increased risk for a variety of mental health symptoms (Andreassen et al. 2016).
More time spent on social media platforms is also associated with increased anxiety (Vannucci et al. 2017). The more platforms used, the higher the negative impact on mental health in young people, particularly anxiety and depression, according to research undertaken in the US by Primack et al (2017).
Added to this is the fact that online use and reduce the number of face-to-face interactions, and reduced participation in offline activities, which can be detrimental to overall wellbeing.
Social media: A Tool, Not a Cure
Social media can be a powerful tool for finding information, connection and support when navigating mental health challenges, particularly for those who are isolated, struggle wirth face-to-face interactions and/or who face sigma as a result of the mental health challenges they experience.
However, it should be used mindfully and as part of a broader approach to self-care and well-being.
While it can offer a sense of community and access to helpful information, it’s not a substitute for professional mental health care and should be used with care and with an awareness and understanding of the risks involved.
By balancing online support with offline resources, it is possible to create a more sustainable and effective approach to managing your mental health.
Sources
Andreassen, C. S., Billieux, J., Griffiths, M. D., Kuss, D. J., Demetrovics, Z., Mazzoni, E., & Pallesen, S. (2016). The relationship between addictive use of social media and video games and symptoms of psychiatric disorders: a large-scale cross-sectional study. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 30(2), 252.
BBC (2021) Molly Russell: Social media users ‘at risk’ over self-harm inquest delay. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-55986728
Bucci, S., Schwannauer, M., & Berry, N. (2019). The digital revolution and its impact on mental health care. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 92(2), 277–297.
Highton-Williamson, E., Priebe, S., & Giacco, D. (2015). Online social networking in people with psychosis: a systematic review. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 61(1), 92–101.
Indian, M. and Grieve, R., 2014. When Facebook is easier than face-to-face: Social support derived from Facebook in socially anxious individuals. Personality and individual differences, 59, pp.102-106.
Kiesler, S., Siegel, J. and McGuire, T.W., 1984. Social psychological aspects of computer-mediated communication. American psychologist, 39(10), p.1123.
Naslund, J. A., Aschbrenner, K. A., Marsch, L. A., & Bartels, S. J. (2016b). The future of mental health care: peer-to-peer support and social media. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 25(2), 113– 122.
Naslund, J.A., Bondre, A., Torous, J. and Aschbrenner, K.A., 2020. Social media and mental health: benefits, risks, and opportunities for research and practice. Journal of technology in behavioral science, 5, pp.245-257.
Naslund JA, Aschbrenner KA, McHugo GJ, Unützer J, Marsch LA, Bartels SJ. Exploring opportunities to support mental health care using social media: A survey of social media users with mental illness. Early Interv Psychiatry. 2019 Jun;13(3):405-413.
Primack, B. A., Shensa, A., Escobar-Viera, C. G., Barrett, E. L., Sidani, J. E., Colditz, J. B., & James, A. E. (2017). Use of multiple social media platforms and symptoms of depression and anxiety: a nationally-representative study among US young adults. Computers in Human Behavior, 69, 1–9.
Rideout, V., & Fox, S. (2018). Digital health practices, social media use, and mental well-being among teens and young adults in the U.S. Retrieved from San Francisco, CA: https://www.hopelab.org/ reports/pdf/a-national-survey-by-hopelab-and-well-being-trust- 2018.pdf. Accessed 10 Jan 2020.
Samaritans Report (2022) https://www.samaritans.org/news/samaritans-report-reveals-dangers-of-social-medias-self-harm-content/
Vannucci, A., Flannery, K. M., & Ohannessian, C. M. (2017). Social media use and anxiety in emerging adults. Journal of Affective Disorders, 207, 163–166.
