We long for the days when our TikTok feeds were filled with light-hearted humour and trending dances. In the years that have been so chaotic, the ever growing popularity of TikTok is one of the only constants to have remained.
However, TikTok has become an epicentre for all things mental health – whether that be young users documenting their mental health struggles or licensed professionals offering up guidance, answers and help to their audiences. In recent months TikTok has hit headlines for surpassing Google as the most searched site on the web so it comes as no surprise that hashtags for mental wellbeing related videos are exceeding 16 billion on the app. With world mental health day just around the corner, here at La La Communications we thought it would be best to explore TikTok’s current reality.
So, what are the benefits and drawbacks of TikTok’s mental health community?
Well, as with all information on the web, users have to decipher between fake news and the truth. Unfortunately TikTok’s feed is full of misinformation due to the fact that anybody – in essence – can post a short, snappy informative video with regards to a range of mental health problems. And let’s be honest not every video can promise you accurate and reliable information – a recent study has shown that 61% of the information provided on TikTok about mental health is incorrect – TikTok plays a role in providing its users with a sense of fake reality so it’s vital you always do more research and check the expertise of those you’re getting your knowledge from.
On the other hand, now more than ever mental health is being discussed openly and users are finding one another to connect and relate with, which really hones in on the sense of community which has become increasingly more important to society. Its short form videos have become a popular educational tool in which its users are able to learn about mental wellbeing conditions, whilst being able to validate their own anxieties and mental struggles.
What measures have TikTok implemented to help with the mental wellbeing of its community?
Guides and an in-app resource list of crisis hotlines have become TikTok’s latest way of combating the critics that continuously warn users of the effects social media has on our mental health. Toolkits have been developed – by leading industry experts – to ensure that users have access to reliable online resources that encourage them to learn more about their own mental wellbeing. With certain hashtags – like #suicide – bringing up a direct link to a helpline whenever it is searched. Decisions like this can only be considered a positive shift in how TikTok is handling the mental wellbeing of its users.
And lastly how do audiences use TikTok to help with their mental well being?
It’s undeniable TikTok provides its users with accessibility to free mental health help like never before. The global community of TikTok uses the user-generated content to educate themselves and validate the emotions they’re feeling and the possible symptoms they’re experiencing. Users are simply exposed to conditions they may have never heard of before and become better aware of the different conditions people face around them. Many of those find a safe space within the mental health communities found online, this is particularly important for those who don’t have the option to discuss mental wellbeing face to face.
To conclude, TikTok is taking appropriate and effective measures where possible to prevent harm to its users mental wellbeing, whilst allowing a vast amount of people with the initial access to the self-help tools they need. It is critical that users do further research into who they’re taking their advice from by delving deeper into their credentials and that those who feel they need it seek a more traditional approach to therapy.
If you’re still unsure of where to go or feel you need some further help and guidance these organisations below can help: