The Impact of Social Media & Technology on Child and Adolescent Mental Health

The #NormalizeTherapy trend on Instagram aims to destigmatize therapy and encourage people to seek professional help for their mental health concerns. However, it is easy for misinformation to spread just as fast as even individuals who are not trained or licensed mental health professionals use the platform to give out advice or management tips without the expertise to do so. TikTok has become a platform for mental health professionals to share educational content, therapy tips, and insights into mental health issues. Participants use the hashtag to share personal stories, offer support, and raise funds for mental health initiatives. December 22, 2025 • The share of people with severe mental illness in state psychiatric hospitals accused of serious crimes has risen steeply.

The events sparked an overdue dialogue about the potentially harmful effects of social media platforms and the need for taking an occasional break. And recent research suggests that psychoactive substances like psilocybin, MDMA, LSD, and ketamine can help treat mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and more. Other exciting research studies have shown us how we can improve mental health services, address racial and socioeconomic disparities, and ultimately, enhance our overall well-being from the inside out. In 2019, 970 million people globally were living with a mental disorder, with anxiety and depression the most common. Although most people are resilient, people who are exposed to adverse circumstances – including poverty, violence, disability and inequality – are at higher risk of developing a mental health condition. CDC recognizes that mental health is closely linked to physical health and social determinants and impacts health-related outcomes throughout life.

mental health topics in media

Sometimes, media still stumbles and falls flat on its face. Of course, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows in the world of mental health portrayal. Celebrities have also https://businessesgrow.com/2021/06/30/brand-generosity/ been stepping up to the plate, sharing their own mental health journeys.

mental health topics in media

Social Media Content Ideas for the Mental Health Industry

A participatory design approach allows individuals to be an integral part of the design process and to contribute their perspectives and ideas toward the final product. Evaluations to inform best practices in the development and distribution of campaigns are essential to their successful dissemination and to maximize their impact. After a rigorous and systematic search of the literature, the inclusion of only 18 studies indicates the need for further evaluations specific in this area. For instance, growing evidence suggests a positive association between media coverage of suicidal behaviors and subsequent suicide rates (termed the “Werther” effect), especially when suicide reports are large-scale and sensationalized (Domaradzki, 2021). This finding contrasts with previous research on suicide prevention campaigns, where potential negative impacts were identified (Pirkis et al., 2019; Torok et al., 2017).

  • In 2020, there are an estimated 3.8 billion social media users worldwide, representing half the global population (We Are Social 2020).
  • These may include fundraisers for charitable organizations, educational classes, or screenings of films and documentaries with a mental health focus.
  • Small shifts support resilience.
  • On one hand, it provides a way to stay connected with friends and family, share life updates, and even find support groups for parenting, health issues, or professional growth.
  • Discuss topics such as teletherapy’s rise, the addictive nature of smartphones and social media, and the potential for technology to improve access to mental health resources.

Explore clinical trials about OCD

mental health topics in media

Among digital programs that have incorporated peer-to-peer social networking consistent with popular features on social media platforms, a pilot study of the HORYZONS online psychosocial intervention demonstrated significant reductions in depression among patients with first episode psychosis (Alvarez-Jimenez et al., 2013). A recent review by Biagianti et al (2018) found that peer-to-peer support appeared to offer feasible and acceptable ways to augment digital mental health interventions for individuals with psychotic disorders by specifically improving engagement, compliance, and adherence to the interventions, and may also improve perceived social support (Biagianti, Quraishi, & Schlosser, 2018). Taken together, these studies offer insights about the potential for social media to facilitate access to an informal peer support network, though more research is necessary to examine how these online interactions may impact intentions to seek care, illness self-management, and clinically meaningful outcomes in offline contexts.

mental health topics in media

mental health topics in media

More recently, in a review of online social networking in people with psychosis, Highton-Williamson et al (2015) highlight that an important purpose of such online connections was to establish new friendships, pursue romantic relationships, maintain existing relationships or reconnect with people, and seek online peer support from others with lived experience (Highton-Williamson et al., 2015). Because social media does not require the immediate responses necessary in face-to-face communication, it may overcome deficits with social interaction due to psychotic symptoms that typically adversely affect face-to-face conversations (Docherty et al., 1996). This is an important observation because individuals living with serious mental disorders typically have few social contacts in the offline world, and also experience high rates of loneliness (Badcock et al., 2015; Giacco, Palumbo, Strappelli, Catapano, & Priebe, 2016). This on demand ease of communication may be especially important for facilitating social interaction among individuals with mental disorders experiencing difficulties interacting in face-to-face settings. For adolescents and young adults ages 12 to 21 with psychotic disorders and mood disorders, over 97% reported using social media, with average use exceeding 2.5 hours per day (M. L. Birnbaum et al., 2017).

Offer insights into support mechanisms and coping strategies for maintaining mental health while managing a physical health condition. Explore how awareness and concern about the planet’s future affect mental health and offer strategies for managing these feelings while promoting environmental activism. Offer insights into supporting the mental health of the elderly through community, activities, and healthcare. Discuss the benefits of outdoor activities, such as hiking, gardening, and wildlife observation, on reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. Discuss how sleep disorders and poor sleep quality can exacerbate mental health conditions, and vice versa.