Laugh it off: The best mental health content on the internet
Mental health is often a touchy topic. But it doesn't have to be! In fact, some of the best content on the internet regarding mental health is really inspiring. This blog post is all about asking questions about whether the content about mental health on social media helps you to relax when you feel down or depressed. So check this out, friends. Follow your favourite influencer and feel better about it. ;)
Online creators can be used to heal people from emotional and mental anguish
Social media has often been criticized for its negative effects on mental health. But what if we could use social media to heal people from emotional and mental anguish? Online creators can uniquely connect with their audiences and build relationships of trust. These influencers can use their platform to share their own stories of recovery and offer advice and support to those struggling. In addition, online creators can use their influence to raise awareness of mental health issues and promote the importance of seekings professional help. By leveraging the power of social media, we can help heal the world one person at a time.
We often think of online creators as "self-absorbed" or "narcissistic." However, many of them use their platform to help others in need. For example, mental health influencers often share their personal stories to raise awareness and break the stigma surrounding mental illness. Similarly, psychology bloggers provide valuable insights that help people understand themselves and their world. While some might see online creators as self-serving, many are actually using their platform to help others in need.
Meet Issey Moloney
Issey Moloney is a mental health influencer with over 5.9 million followers on TikTok. She started making content when struggling to find mental health resources and felt isolated from her real-life friends. Some of her videos are general, such as a short ode to the relationship between mentally ill people and pasta. In contrast, others address real diagnoses, such as "signs you might have BPD" or borderline personality disorder. Issey's mental health resourcefulness and funny, relatable videos have earned her a loyal following among young women who appreciate her lighthearted yet informative approach to mental health education. Thanks to social media, Issey has reached and connected with a large audience of young women who might otherwise feel alone in their mental health struggles.
How did she use her way of connecting to her audiences as a coping mechanism?
In real life, mental health information and care are sparse. In the United States, 1 in 3 counties do not have a single licensed psychologist, according to the American Psychological Association, and Americans say cost is a top barrier to seeking mental health help. On the internet, however, mental health tips are everywhere: TikTok videos with #mentalhealth in the caption have earned more than 43.9 billion views, according to the analytics company Sprout Social, and mentions of mental health on social media are increasing year by year.
One popular source of mental health information is YouTube influencers. These YouTubers often have no official training in psychology or psychiatry, but they offer relatable stories and humour that can be helpful for viewers coping with mental illness. Some commenters occasionally accuse these influencers of pathologizing just "being a teenager" or encouraging self-diagnosis, but generally, they provide an entertaining and informative perspective on mental health.
Let’s consider other examples.
It's definitely strange seeing myself drawn into a commodifiable object for people to define 'mental illness' by, and to a certain extent for me to be eaten up by the algorithm that encourages people to go down this pipeline," said Rayne Fisher-Quann, who openly talks about her struggles with mental illness with her 225,000 followers on TikTok. "There is a concerted effort to capitalize on mental illness, particularly young women's mental illness. It's a very marketable commodity right now."
Although she founded the account as a humour page, Ms Fisher-Quann said she started posting videos about her experience with mental illness because it was something she felt wasn't being talked about enough. "Humour has always been a coping mechanism," she said. "But I also think it's important to have influencers willing to talk about these things openly and honestly."
“I think one of the things that are so powerful about social media is this feeling of connection you get,” she said. “And I think that can be really valuable for many young people dealing with mental health issues.”
Is it a healthy way?
But while social media can be a great way to connect with others and learn about mental health, it can also be a minefield of unproven claims and bad information. That’s why it’s important to be thoughtful about who you follow and what you believe.
Not all mental health experts are created equal. Some are certified professionals with years of experience, while others are simply influencers who have found an audience by talking about their mental health journey. It can be hard to tell the difference, but it’s important to do your research before taking advice from anyone online.
And finally, remember that social media is just one tool in your mental health toolbox. It should never take the place of professional help, and it’s not a cure-all for mental illness. But used wisely can be a great way to connect with others and learn more about mental health.
The idea of people piecing together their mental health journeys on a monetized, algorithm-influenced app can feel scary. Still, critics need to pump the brakes, said Dusty Chipura, who makes TikTok videos about attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and mental health. She said she isn’t too worried about self-diagnosis because totally healthy people aren’t generally the ones scrolling for information about symptoms and treatments. Furthermore, she said that healthcare professionals habitually discount people’s concerns, which means that many people with real disorders may never get formal diagnoses.
“You don’t need a diagnosis of ADHD to benefit from the tips and tricks and strategies,” Chipura said. “I think many people who watch my videos find them helpful, whether or not they have a formal diagnosis.”
Chipura is just one example of an influencer helping to change how we think about mental health. In a landscape where therapy is often seen as the correct way to deal with mental illness, these influencers show that other options are available. By sharing their stories and offering advice, they are helping to break down the barriers that prevent people from seeking help. As more and more people speak out about their mental health journeys, it is becoming easier for others to find the support they need.
Jodi Miller, a researcher at Johns Hopkins University School of Education who studies the relationships among young people, technology and stress, said that social media apps should ideally be just one item in a collection of mental health resources.
"Young people need evidence-based sources of information outside the internet, from parents and schools," Miller said.
According to Fisher-Quann, it's up to consumers to decide what mental health advice they put stock in since often, those resources are unavailable. And she thinks that her followers can get better too if it all comes "from a place of self-awareness and desire to get better." therapy is an effective way to improve mental health. Still, it's not always affordable or accessible. Social media influencers could be filling that gap by providing information and support in a way that is correct, helpful and inspiring.
Nedra Glover Tawwab, a licensed therapist and Instagram creator with 1.5 million followers, stated that audiences understand to take the context into consideration and not view every word spoken by a creator as absolute fact.
While it’s important to be aware of the dangers of online creators using their platforms for harm, it’s also worth celebrating their immense power to heal. Countless people have turned to online creators to find connections and cope with difficult times. Issey Moloney is one such creator, and she has used her platform to connect with audiences in a truly unique and powerful way. It can be easy to dismiss online communities as unhealthy or harmful, but when done thoughtfully and responsibly, they can be incredibly positive in people’s lives. Have you ever reached out to an online creator during a tough time? How did it make you feel? We’d love to hear your story. Contact us today for more information about our digital content providers – we know just the right provider who can help you reach your target audience in a healing and supportive way.