Social Media

  • New Research on Social Media and Teen Mental Health

    ByMikeM Reading Time: 3 minutes

    I think that second quote is really the key. We’ve seen studies that are reported as showing that kids who use social media get more depression and anxiety, but those studies do not address the question of whether there’s any proof that the causality is in that direction and not the other. In other words, do teens who use social media a lot develop depression, or do depressed teens use social media more. This study seems to indicate it’s the latter. As we continue with a lot of social distancing, and activities being canceled and in person gatherings are very limited, we know everyone will be relying more on social media to stay connected, so this is an important question, and I think what this study, and others, really shows us is that there are ways to use social media as a positive influence on our mental health, and a way to use it that will not be a positive influence on our mental health.

    In the physical world, we have these same choices. Do we interact with people who are toxic? Do we spend all of our time comparing ourselves to others? Do we isolate? Or do we find out tribe, our group of supportive friends/family that can interact socially in ways that help our mental health?

    We all make those same choices on social media, but the key difference here is that if we simply don’t choose, and make no effort to make conscious decisions about who we follow and interact with, social network algorithms will make the decision for us. Anyone already struggling with mental health is maybe more likely to not spent much time thinking about these things, and just let the app show them what it wants to show them, and that is not necessarily going to be good for our anxiety. Especially right now.

    So, if you find yourself feeling more anxious, angry, irritated, etc. every time you hop on Twitter or Instagram, maybe instead of just being that way, spend some time thinking about who you follow, and what they are bringing in to your life?

    For any of my social media using readers, can you share some of your favorite positive accounts that you interact with to HELP your mental health?

  • Reviews Elsewhere – The A-Z of Therapeutic Parenting by Sarah Naish

    ByMikeM Reading Time: 1 minute

    I found this review by Ali about Sarah’s book. It’s not necessarily for everyone, but I think if you’re a parent of a child who has been through trauma, whether you’ve adopted them as Suzy has, or your biological child has been through trauma, this book might come in handy.: As a mum of two…

  • Sharing – How the Stress of the COVID-19 Pandemic Scrambles Your Brain

    ByMikeM Reading Time: 1 minute

    It’s not just you feeling drained, and unable to concentrate. “If you know what’s coming, your brain can prepare you to deal with it. If you don’t know but there’s a possibility of harm, your brain gets vigilant, and overactive trying to guess the most likely outcome and execute a coping strategy. Because the best…

  • Reviews Elsewhere – 10 Best Mental Health Books That Will Completely Change Your Life

    ByMikeM Reading Time: 1 minute

    OK the headline is a bit of a misnomer, it’s more like 10 little mini-reviews. And, I don’t know if these will necessarily change your life, because that’s a pretty steep claim to make about a book. On the other hand, this list does seem to have some pretty good books in it, some I’ve read or heard of before, some others I had not. So, there may be something on this list that catches your eye and you may want to check out. 

    As Pauline says in the intro:

    Mental health is a massive struggle in the United States. Add in quarantine, school, work, bullying, social media, bills, and so many other factors, and sometimes your head isn’t as quick to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Whether you struggle with mental illness or you want to educate yourself – here are 10 of the best mental health books that can completely change your life

    It’s always better to be educated about mental health, but right now? It might be the difference between helping yourself or someone you love, and being completely helpless. 

    Try not to be helpless when so many resources are available. 

    Have you read any of the books on this list? What book would you add that did actually change your life? 

  • Suicide Prevention Hotlines Around the World

    ByMikeM Reading Time: 1 minute

    I saw this, and tweeted about it last night, but also wanted to link it here for posterity:

    https://www.suicidestop.com/call_a_hotline.html

    More suicide prevention hotlines than I’ve ever seen collected in one place.

    This also serves as a good reminder of my birthday fundraiser for the AFSP, I’m in the US so that is what I would direct people who want to help me celebrate or say thank you for running this site over the years, but if you aren’t in the US, I totally get wanted to support something local for you as well, so here’s a list of suicide prevention resources all over the world. If you want to support my birthday wish to raise money for suicide prevention but do it in your own country, please do. Then come back and let me know that you did. That will mean as much as anyone donating or sharing my fundraiser.

  • Mental Health America Shares BIPOC Mental Health month Toolkit

    ByMikeM Reading Time: 1 minute

    Since it is July 1, and as we continue to recognize the mental health needs related to recent events, let alone historic events, it seems almost perfectly timed for it to be what MHA is now referring to as BIPOC Mental Health Month. I’ll let them explain the origin and the name change: Formally recognized…