By Paul Guess, mental wellbeing expert at caba, the charity helping the ICAEW community thrive in their personal and professional lives with training, advice, and support.
During the pandemic, millions of young people started turning to TikTok for mental health advice and support.
Spurred by a heightened sense of social isolation, many were using TikTok to share their own lived experiences and connect with like-minded people, and this has continued since.
However, an increasing number of people are using it to diagnosis themselves with serious mental health conditions. The hashtag #mentalhealthsymptoms itself has 2.1 million views, while #therapistsoftiktok has over 670 million.
Given the vast amount of misinformation out there, this is naturally a cause for concern – particularly if you’re a mental health service provider like caba. We know from previous research that 55% of accountants suffer from stress and burnout, and it’s vital that everyone – no matter their personal circumstances – has access to the right support.
That said, we still need to ask ourselves: is there a place for TikTok and other social media platforms in the mental health service framework? In this article, we’ll examine the pros and cons of using TikTok for mental health support and share some guidance on how to use it safely and effectively.
Content creators’ credentials – always do your research
When we’re consuming social media content, it’s crucial that we understand who’s posting it and what credentials they have, to back up what they’re saying. Many creators aren’t mental health professionals, so checking the credentials in their bio or via their linked website is good practice.
If they’re licensed therapists, counsellors, social workers or doctors, the information they’re sharing is likely accurate.
It’s always best to take mental health advice from a trusted and credible source, such as a licensed therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. At caba, we believe you need tailored resources to help you prioritise your wellbeing with trusted, professional advice.
Be aware of misinformation
When you’re scrolling, you’re consuming information you have no control over. Social media is a great tool for raising awareness of certain causes and for sharing tips and tricks, but it’s also full of misinformation.
When the virtual healthcare platform PlushCare examined 500 mental health TikTok videos, it discovered that 84% were misleading. While 54% of videos did contain some accurate information, the report also found that about 14.2% are so misleading that they could be potentially damaging, like suggesting certain medications without talking to a doctor.
It’s therefore incredibly important that we remain critical of the content we’re consuming and consider its intended purpose. This will allow us to take in the parts that are useful but also stop ourselves from being influenced by potentially false information.
For example, is the creator sharing their own personal experiences of mental health challenges and tips that have worked for them? Or are they giving tips to help you self-diagnose? The difference between the two is that when a creator is consciously aware that they’re sharing their personal experience, they’ll often share a disclaimer to not use the video as professional, medical advice.
The benefits of having an online community and opening up about your mental health
With over 1 billion worldwide users, TikTok is a growing community made up of many smaller communities.
It’s a fantastic tool for those who want to connect with other, like-minded people. And for anyone facing challenges with their mental health, having an online support group can help you to feel less alone.
This is where TikTok really comes into its own. By normalising mental health and breaking down the stigma around it, many people feel more comfortable talking about their own thoughts and feelings and may be more likely to seek help when necessary.
Our advice
Although TikTok is an excellent medium to share experiences and feels like an easy-access resource for finding mental health support – it’s not a reliable source.
If you feel yourself mindlessly scrolling, consider switching to a more mindful activity, to prevent listening to false information when your brain is more vulnerable.
If you’re struggling with your mental health and need professional advice, it’s always best to turn to mental health helplines, support groups or counselling for more sustained support.
At caba, we have the training and expertise to provide accurate and evidence-based information about mental health and can help you develop a personalised plan for improving your wellbeing. A range of self-help guides and online tools are available from caba to help your mental health, along with additional, more holistic support available specifically to accountants and their families.
5 questions to ask yourself when seeking advice on TikTok:
Is the person qualified enough to advise you on mental health?
What are their credentials/ qualifications?
Can you find supporting research to verify what is being said in the video?
What is the intention behind the video?
Are they sharing their own lived experience or advising you to do something?
The post Mental health support on TikTok is trending. But is it safe? appeared first on HR News.