Social media and your mental health By Keenan Campbell

Social media has the ability to aid your mental health but you must know when and how it can be beneficial

To start: what makes you happy?

People often derive happiness and fulfillment through connections with others, meaningful work, and overcoming trauma

how does social media play into all this?

Social media has played a larger role in mental health as time goes on

  • It can help connect you with others and could be your only contact with them if it's over long distances
  • It can distract from meaningful work leaving you feeling empty
  • A common source for depression and other mental health issues, phones can be used as a “band aid” to distract yourself

what can we do about it?

  • Use Integrated apps that can limit use of social media, make goals that you need to complete before using social media
  • Mental health apps such as better help and headspace are a great accessible resource for mental health
  • if the platform allows it stick to the following only option so you still can connect with friends and only see what you want to see

sources

Miller, Caroline. “Does Social Media Use Cause Depression?” Child Mind Institute, 16 Apr. 2024, childmind.org/article/is-social-media-use-causing-depression/.

Harri, Johann. “Depression and the Secret to Happiness | Johann Hari.” YouTube, YouTube, 13 Aug. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=6R0fTRTIQCE.

Staff, All Psychology Schools. “Social Media’s Effects on Our Mental Health: All Psychology Schools.” AllPsychologySchools.Com, 18 July 2023, www.allpsychologyschools.com/blog/social-media-psychology/.