Is Poor Mental Health "Trendy;" The Dangerous Influence of Social Media

Mental health challenges are something that humans have always had to face, and while humanity's understanding of mental health has improved over the years, something new has introduced an unexpected factor: social media. The influx of people talking about mental health diagnoses and treatment and having opinions about other’s mental health journeys has made it appear to some as being “trendy” for people to claim a diagnosis whether they have one or not.

Now more than ever, social media has given tools to people which allow them to share their lives with the world. This can be a beautiful and fun way to connect with others, but it can also mean negativity, because as we all know, someone is always going to have a negative opinion. And when people with negative opinions create media that has an anti-mental health bias, it can have dangerous consequences for people with mental illness who watch or read this kind of social media.

Social Media: The Good

Let’s discuss the good aspects of social media for people struggling with mental health issues. Being able to share challenges and triumphs has always been a way that humans connect, and social media makes this much easier. There has been a rise in people who share their mental health journey online, in the hopes that they will be able to educate the public on mental health issues and help other people who may be feeling a similar way. As mental health becomes more socially acceptable to talk about (because even 20 years ago, the stigma surrounding mental health was very different from what it is today, and it was seen as something to keep quiet) there has been an emergence in people posting online about their own struggles and triumphs with their mental health. These people (some of them well-known influencers) end up posting about vulnerable parts of their lives in order to show what living with mental illness or being in recovery can look like, and they try to give people proof that life does get better. For some, this can be a positive tool, as they may feel empowered about their own journey upon seeing someone else's, and in addition may be able to connect with others going through the same thing. When dealing with mental health issues, finding a support system can be a great resource, and sometimes those support groups can come from an online resource.

Social Media: The Bad

However, there are negative aspects of social media focused on mental health. Some people think that these accounts are “glorifying” mental illness, and they believe that the reason more people are coming forward to speak about their mental illness is because they want to get in on the “trend.”​​ This is a dangerous viewpoint, as many people who feel this way and talk about it –whether in the comments of someone's post, or by making their own media about it– do not realize that their negative views can trickle down to really vulnerable people who are dealing with mental health struggles. The comment section of posts regarding mental health (whether it’s on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, the new Twitter-like app Threads, or another form of social media) tend to be a really mixed bag of opinions. There are, of course, the people who support it and those with mental illness, but then you get a lot of people who comment with unhelpful or downright biased or ignorant things. Negative comments can flood the pages of people who are trying to make a positive difference in the mental health space, and not only can it be very frustrating for the poster, but it can also cause negative consequences for people who are viewing the posts.

Social Media: The Ugly

Everyone, whether they recognize it or not, can be influenced by social media. The words and images we consume every day have a way of sticking around in our brains for longer than you’d think. Here’s an example of how it can work: you see a series of TikTok and Instagram posts about a new book that is being released next week. You watch someone read the back cover and talk about how excited they are for it, and another person posts about how amazing this author's work is and how this book will be a fantastic read. You think about the book for a little, and then you go about your day. A few weeks later, you pass by a bookstore, and lo and behold, there is the newly published book that you saw on social media! You decide to go in and purchase the book, and you’re happy that you remembered the posts from weeks ago.

Of course, it doesn’t always work like this, but this is an example of how similar content can stay in the back of your mind. Now, if someone is struggling with mental health issues, and they continuously see negative comments and posts proclaiming that mental health is “now trendy” and people are just “wanting attention,” it can have a serious impact on their mental health. They might question the validity of what they are experiencing, and it could lead to them not reaching out for help, which can have real consequences for their mental health, and potentially their life.

Why Does Social Media Have an Effect on Mental Health?

Some may wonder, but why does social media have such an effect on one’s mental health? They should ignore what others are doing and saying and focus on themselves. It’s a valid question, because some do not understand the influence that social media has on people. In the past two decades, humans have gone from not really seeing other people's lives, to consuming content from the lives of strangers daily. It’s a huge shift, and not without consequences. Social media has made it easier to compare ourselves to others, easier to see negative comments and reflect them on ourselves, and may cause us to feel like our life is lacking something or that we are lacking. These negative aspects of social media, combined with the toll of spending hours online, missing out on our own lives to scroll through others, is enough that there is a connection between spending hours online and depression and anxiety. This has been validated by therapists and doctors. Thus, even without seeing the negative posts and comments regarding mental health, social media on its own is enough to cause distress. Combine the already stressful social media with negative posts and comments regarding mental health being “trendy,” and the effect on mental health increases exponentially.

Why Do Some See Poor Mental Health as “Trendy?”

Mental health is being talked about more openly, and people are also getting diagnosed with mental health conditions more. This isn’t necessarily to say that mental illness has become more prevalent in recent years: it’s always been there, but it was not receiving the attention that it deserved, nor was it understood to the extent that it is today. As the understanding of mental health increases and more resources become available, people are able to get diagnosed and treated more easily. The increased discussion around mental health can be correlated to more people getting diagnosed, but that is because people are hearing the message that it is okay to struggle, and that there is hope. The dangerous notion that people are getting diagnosed in order to “avoid responsibilities” is a gross misunderstanding of mental health and mental illness at its core. People struggling with mental illness are a vulnerable part of the population, and the people commenting negatively do not realize that sometimes the weight of their words can push someone to avoid getting treatment. This is why mental health education is so important. The more that people are educated in the topics of psychology, mental illness, and how the brain works, the more it will lead to a more caring, inclusive space for those struggling with mental health. It’s time for folks to let go of the notion that mental health is “trendy” and to understand that mental health issues have always been around, and it has never been a trend.

What Can I Do?

Now having read this article, I hope you have learned about how social media can be a tool for connection, but that it is also dangerous, especially so for those who are battling mental illness. You may be wondering, is there anything I can do to help? Unfortunately, there will always be people who sit behind their keyboard ready to type cruel words and inflict negativity towards others. Education is an important tool and ensuring that your friends and family are properly educated is a great way to spread the word. Limiting social media can also be beneficial, particularly if you have children, as they can be especially influenced by social media. Finding safe channels that have positive content who also monitor their comment section and followers can be another way to make sure you are consuming safe social media. If you know anyone who you suspect may be struggling, it is worth having a conversation with them. It is important to remember that you never truly know what is going on in someone’s life unless you ask: social media certainly makes it easier than ever to display only the parts of your life that you want the world to see. It’s also vital to remember that, at the crux of it, social media is fake, and not an accurate representation of anyone's life, so it is good to be mindful of that when spending time online. You can do a lot by being a positive influence, online and in person. When someone is struggling with their mental health, it is important to be there in any way you can (while setting appropriate boundaries) and creating a safe space for them. If you yourself are struggling with mental illness, it may be worth it to cut social media out of your daily routine and remember that seeking help shows that you are strong. There are so many resources out there for you. While it can be easy to let the words and posts of strangers from online consume you, know that you are more than your mental illness, and you are not part of any “trend.” My hope is that you have a lot to take away from this article, and if you believe that your friends could benefit from reading, please don’t hesitate to share it with them.