6. Global Trends

 

Global Trends: Mental Health Awareness through social media 

    As society continues to move more and more into the digital age mental health awareness has become talked about more and more, especially from younger generations. Social media and other digital tools have helped to teach people how to understand and be able to discuss mental health worldwide. 

    One way that social media contributed to mental health awareness is by normalizing having hard discussions about depression, anxiety, and needing help. This has also helped to reduce the stigma around mental health. According to the American Psychiatric Association "more than half of people with mental illness don't receive help for their disorders." The Association went on to say that many times people will delay or all together avoid receiving treatment due to fears of being treated differently. Through social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram extensive global outreach billions of people are able to see these videos. 

    Social media is an easily opened door for celebrities, influencers, and everyday people to share their own stories of issues with mental health as well as what they do to help with their mental health. By celebrities, influencers, and others showing their struggles it could help someone who is struggling with mental health to realize that it is a problem that effects everyone in some way. It also helps people to realize that if it is socially acceptable for a celebrity or influencer to seek help for mental health than it is socially acceptable for an "average joe" to seek help. One celebrity that has been a strong advocate for mental health is Selena Gomez . She has openly talked about her struggles with depression and anxiety. She has funded the Rare Impact Fund where over $100 million has been contributed to youth mental health. The Rare Impact Fund's vision is "a world where all young people have access to mental health care, stigma-free community support, and culturally responsive resources that are sensitive to their unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives." 

    Through improvements in digital technology access to mental health resources has greatly increased. Now people can attend counseling sessions from wherever they are at. Apps like BetterHelp and Talkspace undefined  make it easier for people to receive the treatments they need. Online therapy has many benefits for example it is more accessible for people in rural areas, is often cheaper than traditional therapy, and is offers more flexible scheduling. 

    Apps such as Headspace and Calm provide tools for meditation, sleep improvement, and stress management. The apps help to create new and healthier habits for individuals as well as workplace groups. These apps also pop up on social media platforms like TikTok where they post calming deep breathing exercises as well as other tips and calming exercises. This further helps spread awareness for where people can go to get help. Especially if they are not ready to fully step out and ask for help from a therapist. By these apps being present on social media it offers people a steppingstone towards the help they need. 

    In conclusion, while majority of the time social media gets a bad rap when it comes to mental health, which is true. Governments such as Australia has even gone as far as to ban those under the age of sixteen from social media.  It can be a major help in spreading awareness for those who struggle with mental health. Social media also gives apps an easily opened door to reach more people globally. Even if the person does not subscribe to the services or book a session with a therapist, they are still receiving tips.