A5.01 - Oral Session: The Effective Use of Social Media to Promote Positive Mental Health

Presenter: Gayle Walter, PhD, MPH, MCHES – Associate Professor, Allen College

Brief Abstract Summary: Social media platforms are progressively increasing in use and becoming an effective way to communicate information to a vast group of users. There are also demographic differences in social media use which allows for segmentation of audiences for mental health awareness and access to resources. Even though a growing body of research demonstrates that social media use is negatively associated with mental health and well-being, particularly among young people, there are benefits to moderated social media use that vary across demographic, socioeconomic, and racial population sub-groups. Results indicate that social media can be effective in promoting positive mental health through feelings of connectedness, social support, and early detection of mental health issues. The use of social media to raise awareness of mental health is also an effective intervention due to high reach, availability, and cost-effectiveness.

Detailed abstract description: Since mental health continues to be a public health priority, attendees will want to learn about different strategies to use social media, including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, in promoting positive mental health. It is well understood that social media platforms are progressively increasing in use and becoming an effective way to communicate information to a vast group of users. According to the PEW Research Center reported that in Americans’ social media use, YouTube and Facebook are by far the most used online platforms among U.S. adults; TikTok’s user base has grown since 2021. Adults under 30 are far more likely than their older counterparts to use online platforms. There are also demographic differences in social media use which allows for segmentation of audiences for mental health awareness, mental health literacy, and resources. Even though a growing body of research demonstrates that social media use is negatively associated with mental health and well-being, particularly among young people, there are benefits to moderated social media use that vary across demographic, socioeconomic, and racial population sub-groups. Results indicate that social media can be effective in promoting positive mental health through feelings of connectedness, social support, and early detection of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. The use of social media to raise awareness of mental health is also an effective intervention due to high reach, availability, and cost-effectiveness.

Mental health professionals, primary care providers, educators, high school counselors, and public health practitioners can benefit from learning more about how social media can promote positive mental health. Based on the literature collected, many individuals use social media to search for information and resources on mental health. They may want to ask their mental health provider if the information is reliable, factual, and trustworthy. Since there remains a stigma associated with discussing mental health, the clinician may want to initiate the conversation about social media and direct them to appropriate sites. The increased use of social media use also paves the way for reaching or offering support to patients. If a hospital is affiliated with a medical school, the connection between research and health care may create new opportunities for integration of digital tools in the patient’s care plan and advancing the use of social media platforms for positive mental health. Additional research is needed to further examine ways in which social media can be leveraged as an accepted clinical tool and public health intervention.