The Brown Daily Herald

By Walsh University And The Herald Sponsorship Team

June 4

TikTok provides a platform for content of all kinds: sometimes incredibly niche and other times very broad and relevant, and the platform is quickly becoming the search engine of choice for many users. Anyone who uses TikTok can experience the feeling of mindless scrolling or receiving criticism from those around you for hours spent on the app.

While it can be easy to get lost in what can seem like endless content, TikTok creates space for some truly important conversations, just some of which are those that highlight, discuss, and normalize a range of health issues mental. You don't have to dive deep to find creators discussing all things mental health, and just a few minutes of listening to what they have to say often opens up much larger conversations about the conditions or struggles that they highlight. These conversations are crucial because they change the way we talk about mental health and often have a ripple effect in creating positive change, online and in person around the world.

Inspire change

Talking about mental health inspires change by reducing the stigma that exists around certain conditions and educating people on how to better support anyone who may be struggling, as well as encouraging appropriate use of language. Mental health has long been a taboo subject to discuss, and as a result, many people do not understand it properly or know how to talk about it and manage it appropriately, whether to support themselves or others. others.

Reducing any stigma requires education and conversation, and mental health is no exception. With proper understanding and insight, we are all able to better accept, understand and support those around us, thereby creating change. This change might take the form of checking in regularly with a friend you know is struggling or choosing to study. Online PMHNP DNP Programs and build a career where you can help people.

From conversations on TikTok, change also comes through the language we use to discuss behavior and mental health as a whole, encouraging more respectful and appropriate dialogue. It is very important that anyone struggling with mental health issues is treated with kindness and understanding rather than unfair judgment. Reducing stigma and encouraging respectful conversations and language to provide appropriate support is a crucial step in achieving this, creating a new normal where unfair treatment and judgment are a thing of the past.

Validation

Hearing about other people's experiences with mental health can be extremely empowering for those going through their own struggles. There is such value in knowing that you are not alone and building a community of like-minded people who can relate to your lived experience in a way that others perhaps could not TO DO. Online communities are an incredibly accessible way to do this, as people can find comfort and understanding in the palm of their hands, from their own home.

Additionally, anyone who may be experiencing something they don't quite understand, or feeling alone in their experience for no reason, might find the information or encouragement they need in these communities to seek support. necessary. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in women is just one topic that has really demonstrated this on social media. ADHD is often associated with young boys, and much of the diagnostic criteria is historically structured around this. Yet ADHD presents itself very differently in girls and women, meaning it often goes undiagnosed for many years. TikTok has brought this to light in recent years, and as a result, many women have found themselves seeking and receiving a diagnosis after years of struggling with ADHD symptoms.

Conversations in online communities such as those on TikTok allow many more people to contribute via the platforms' reach, meaning conversations become more diverse and more accurate in their depictions of various mental health issues, ultimately having a positive impact on those they affect most.

Support and coping strategies

Conversations around mental health often focus on support services, coping strategies, and general advice for those who may need it. Users often share advice on how to live with a variety of mental health issues, from tactics for staying on top of ADHD-related tasks to links to easily accessible mental health services to tips for seeking professional help.

Publicly available conversations about mental health not only provide support in terms of practical advice, but also provide understanding from people who relate to what you are experiencing, in a way that other people in your life might not be able to do it. Content of this nature has the potential to significantly improve the lives of the audience it reaches, as it generally aims to offer genuine support and realistic advice that might not be accessible elsewhere. Sharing supports and coping strategies changes the way we talk about mental health because it normalizes it, emphasizes its prevalence, and highlights the importance of conversations about it.

Boundaries

While there are many benefits to the way we now talk about mental health online, it's important to remember that there are limitations and potential downsides to consuming certain social media content. Anyone can post online, whether or not they have any lived experience or professional knowledge, so it's crucial to remember to check who's behind the content you consume.

Be sure to verify information before making decisions, remain critical of those who share advice, and always talk to a professional if you have any difficulties or have any questions. Additionally, be mindful of your social media usage and make sure you feel positive when interacting with online content. Online platforms can easily become overwhelming, so limit your screen time if you ever feel the need; Social media should be a place for entertainment, education, and ultimately fun, so make sure it stays that way for you.

TikTok has opened up conversations about mental health in a way that we've never really seen before. Open and honest conversations are happening all over the platform and, for the most part, this has been incredibly beneficial to the way we approach mental health. All users, but particularly young people, learn to talk about their mental health with those around them. Users learn to be more respectful and better understand a range of conditions and, ultimately, better support anyone who is struggling, whether online or in person. For a long time, issues related to mental health have been taboo, left behind closed doors, kept to oneself, topics that have left many people feeling alone, misunderstood and unsupported. TikTok provides a platform where users can have game-changing conversations.

About Walsh University

Located in Ohio and founded in 1960, Walsh University offers undergraduate and graduate programs in several disciplines. It is online BSN-DNP PMHNP The program offers a flexible curriculum to prepare students for a career as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.