Updated on 07/03/23
Mental health should be an open topic of discussion and social media can be used as a tool to promote mental health awareness. Platforms such as TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and the like can be used to spread helpful, uplifting and inspiring information. This can include self-care tips, leading by example for others, and posting personal stories about mental health struggles or successes. Additionally, it is important to use social media for good instead of engaging in negative discourse or being unkind to others.
Mental health is worthy of powerful, positive conversations. Most of our media nowadays is focused on negativity in the world and gossip. Why not sprinkle a bit of hope into the mix? Why not change the language of mental health to become a normal topic of discussion?
Promoting Positivity Through Various Social Media Platforms
We, as teens, need to start chatting about how we can bring our world together. We are starting the movement. The trending Twitter topics we see on a daily basis hold very little purpose. They promote the destruction of other people’s lives. They promote meaningless drama that goes on in the lives of celebrities. Can we stop spreading rumors and sharing insulting opinions about other people, and can we begin generating genuine conversations about topics such as mental health?
This is our time to make a great difference in the world. We have incredible technology surrounding us that we can use to create that great difference. It’s important that we use this technology in positive ways. The best place to start this movement is through social media.
TikTok
TikTok is more than a place for silly videos and learning new dances. You can instead share ways that you take care of yourself and join the movement on TikTok that is focusing on mental health. Because so many young people are gravitating towards TikTok, this platform is a way to share a positive message with a larger group of people.
Twitter is an incredibly popular social media platform that teens use daily. It has the power and potential to spread massive amounts of mental health awareness. The ideal way to spread that awareness is by getting important topics that are mental health-related on the trending list.
Unique hashtags that gain momentum quickly are more likely to be on the trending list. The more we share these hashtags, the more awareness will be spread.
Here is a list of some hashtags you can start tweeting to help promote mental health awareness:
#mentalhealthawareness
#stopthestigma
#mentalhealthmatters
#selfcare
#mindfulness
#loveyourself
#itsoknottobeok
#suicideawareness
#endstigma
#mentalhealthhero
Add to this list as you come up with your own ideas to change the language of mental health to make it more positive!
We need to look out for other people online who are struggling. It is our duty as a teen generation to lend a hand and help others as much as we can.
One of the greatest new features that Instagram has incorporated into their app is a self-injury reporting system. If you see someone who might be self-harming or might need support, you can report that person’s photo to an Instagram team member. The team member will reach out to the person you are concerned about and will remove photos that come up in the app that might trigger self-harming.
Instagram also reaches out to people who appear to be searching for posts and hashtags that have to do with self-harm, suicide, cutting, etc. They also direct these people to support services.
Spreading helpful hashtags that are positive is a great way to spread mental health awareness. It can also send inspirational messages to people online who are struggling.
Snapchat
The Snapchat app is very common among teens, and it is growing rapidly. Posting impactful stories on Snapchat that influence viewers to take positive action when it comes to mental health is very powerful.
Snapchat also has one to one chatting capabilities that is great for directly spreading mental health awareness.
Our words and photos hold tons of power, so make sure your messages are kind and helpful. Bullying is the exact opposite of what we are trying to promote.
Ways to Use Social Media Apps to Positively Promote Mental Health
1. Share Self-Care Tips
Social media is a prime place to share self-care tips with others. You can make videos or create picture posts to show how you care for yourself. Your ideas will inspire others to care for themselves as well.
2. Be an Example for Others
If you are positively talking about mental health, others will likely do the same. Use your platform to focus on positive vibes and lifting others up.
3. Post Your Story
Your life is inspirational. It’s a matter of sharing your special experiences with others. They can be learning experiences or motivational experiences. Either way, you are helping others when you share your story. This is an amazing way to connect with others and spread mental health awareness in the process.
4. Lead a Healthy Lifestyle
Leading a healthy lifestyle inside and out is beneficial for you, but it can also benefit others. When other people see you posting about your healthy lifestyle online, it gives them encouragement to take care of their body and mind.
5. Encourage Others to Talk About Mental Health
Talking about mental health is very important. It helps us to not internalize, and it helps us not to reach breaking points. We can lead steady, stable lives just by opening up to others about our mental health challenges. It gives others someone to relate to as well.
6. Pick Positivity Over Negativity
There is no reason that anyone should spread negativity online. Technology is a beautiful creation, and it is our job to make the most of it. We can do this by helping each other and giving encouragement to each other. Make other people smile. Be positive.
7. Be Supportive, NOT Judgmental
It is important to remember that your choices on social media affect others greatly. Do not spend your time online being cruel to people. Spend it supporting others. It is not your job to judge others online, so do not take on that role. Your negativity can affect someone else’s mental health in damaging ways. Use your platform wisely, and do not cyberbully.
8. Educate Yourself
There is so much to learn. Your education begins with you. If you want to know more about mental health, dedicate some time to research. Know the warning signs. Know the coping skills. You have all the resources you need via social media and online to find this information.
9. Start a Mental Health Blog
Another great way to spread mental health awareness is to start up a mental health blog. You can promote your blog through social media, and you can educate others on mental health through your writing of your own experiences.
There are so many ways you can spread mental health awareness positively. Add your own ways to the ones I have given you today. The world is in our hands. Let’s make it a great place to be!
At Discovery Mood & Anxiety Program, we know the stress that social media can have on teenagers. If you or someone you know needs support, contact us at Discovery Mood & Anxiety today. We’re here to help.
Christine Marie Frey (Christine XP) is the Teen International Award Winning Author of Brain XP: Living with Mental Illness, A Young Teenager’s Perspective. It is the first mental health book written by a teen reaching out to other teens. She started showing signs of anxiety, depression and psychosis at age 12. Her isolation led her to create the BRAIN XP Project. BRAIN XP provides hope to youth battling mental health challenges, letting them know they are NOT alone or crazy. But rather their brains are special. Their brains are EXPANDED with creativity, empathy, and insight.
More from Discovery Mood & Anxiety Program: