TikTok provides a platform for content of all kinds: sometimes incredibly niche and other times very broad and relatable, and the platform is quickly becoming the preferred search engine of many users. Anyone who uses TikTok can relate to 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 feel like never-ending content, TikTok does create space for some really important conversations, only some of which are those that highlight, discuss, and normalize a range of mental health issues. It doesn’t take a deep dive to find creators discussing all things mental health, and only a few minutes of listening to what they have to say often opens up far bigger conversations around the conditions or struggles they’re highlighting. These conversations are crucial, as 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.

Inspiring 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 might be struggling, as well as by encouraging appropriate use of language. Mental health has long been a taboo topic of discussion, and as a result, many people don’t properly understand it or appreciate how to talk about and handle it appropriately — whether it’s to support themselves or others. 

Reducing any stigma comes through education and conversation, and mental health is no exception to this. With proper understanding and insight, we are all able to better accept, understand and support those around us, ultimately creating change. This change could be anything from regularly checking in on a friend who you know is struggling, or choosing to study online PMHNP DNP programs and building 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’s so important that anyone struggling with their mental health 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 norm where unfair treatment and judgment are things of the past. 

Validation 

Hearing about other peoples’ experiences with their mental health can be incredibly validating 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 ways others might not be able to. 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 homes. 

Additionally, anyone who might be going through something they don’t quite understand, or feeling alone in their experience without a reason as to why, might find the information or encouragement they need in these communities to seek necessary support. 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 criteria for diagnosis is historically structured around this. Still, ADHD presents quite differently in girls and women, and this means that it often goes undiagnosed for many years. TikTok has shed light on this in recent years, and as a result, many women have found themselves seeking and receiving diagnosis after years of struggling with symptoms of ADHD. 

Conversations in online communities such as those on TikTok allow for far more people to contribute through the platform’s reach, meaning that conversations become more diverse and accurate in their representations of various mental health conditions, ultimately having a positive impact on those they affect the most. 

Support and coping strategies 

Conversations around mental health often center around support services, coping strategies, and general advice for those who might need it. Users often share tips on navigating living with various mental health conditions, whether that be tactics for staying on top of chores with ADHD, links to easily accessible mental health services or advice on seeking professional help. 

Publicly accessible conversations around mental health allow not only for support in terms of practical advice but also for providing understanding from people who relate to what you’re going through, in a way that others in your life may not be able to. Content of this nature has the potential to drastically improve the lives of the audience it reaches, as it typically aims to offer genuine support and realistic advice that may not be accessible elsewhere. The sharing of support services and coping strategies changes the way we talk about mental health as it normalizes it, emphasizes its prevalence, and highlights the importance of the conversations around it.  

Limitations

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 the consumption of some social media content. Anyone can post online, whether or not they have lived experience or professional insights, so it’s crucial to remember to check who is behind the content you consume. 

Ensure you fact-check information before you make decisions, remain critical of those who share advice, and always talk to a professional if you are struggling or have questions. Additionally, keep your social media usage in mind, and ensure that you feel positive when you engage with any online content. Online platforms can easily become overwhelming, so limit your screen time if you ever feel you need it; social media should be a place for entertainment, education, and ultimately enjoyment, so make sure it stays that way for you. 

TikTok has opened up conversations around mental health in a way we have never really seen before. Open, honest conversations are being had in all corners of 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, are learning to talk about their mental health with those around them. Users are learning to be more respectful and understanding of a range of conditions, and ultimately, to better support anyone struggling, whether that be online or in person. For a long time, issues around mental health have been taboo, behind-closed-door, keep-it-to-yourself, topics that left many people feeling alone, misunderstood, and unsupported. TikTok is providing a platform where users can have conversations that change that. 

About Walsh University

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