Mental Health Awareness Month
by Vaibhava Rajesh
hand holding phone with different social media icons floating above.
As we are closing in on the month of May, it is key that along with the beauty of spring around us, it is also Mental Health Awareness month. Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in the United States since 1949. It was started by the Mental Health America (MHA) organization to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of mental wellness for everyone.
Throughout the course of several decades, the significant development of technology has only increased the need to be educated about mental health. It is evident that social media plays a significant role in our lives, and how it can both help and harm our mental health. It is important to take note of the features that promote our mental well-being.
On the positive side, social media can provide a sense of community and support. Platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok can be powerful tools for raising awareness about mental health issues, sharing personal experiences, and connecting with others who might be going through similar struggles.
Facebook has numerous support groups that can connect individuals with each other in order to support one another. This is a wonderful way to discover a niche group that deals with similar struggles. Instagram now includes features that remind users to take breaks. Additionally, there is a “Down Time” feature, similar to Apple’s “Do not disturb,” which ensures that no notifications from Instagram come through at night-time and early in the morning. This lessens the use of messaging through Instagram late at night and disrupting sleep schedules.
Even Pinterest offers a “Compassionate Search” feature, which displays self-care tips and mental health resources when users search for related topics.
Many of the features provided by the Settings have been integrated within TikTok. TikTok has a feature that allows users to set a screen time alongside a password, as an additional tool to discourage doom scrolling. A suggestion provided is to have a friend set up a password to prevent ignoring reminders to close the application. There are even TikTok-specific summaries for screentime, which provide data on how long you have spent time on TikTok, and how that has varied over time.
Offline, to encourage others to be open about their own mental health struggles, if you feel comfortable, share your own mental health journey on social media or with those close to you. Personal stories are powerful in breaking down stigma and encouraging others to seek help and feel less isolated.
Mental Health Awareness Month is a vital time for everyone to come together and focus on the importance of mental health, observing how we can make changes to our habits to ensure that we take care of ourselves.
