TikTok shares resources to support students’ mental health
October 10th was World Mental Health Day, with a goal to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilize efforts in support of mental health. The day provides an opportunity to discuss mental health and the factors that contribute to it. Mental health is a topic that is particularly important for students as they navigate the complicated world of social media.
In honor of World Mental Health Day, TikTok shared an overview of its in-app support tools, new research about people’s perceptions of mental health concerns, and the ways they’ve been working to destigmatize mental well-being discussions.
Students may find themselves overwhelmed with the enormity of the platform and the potential to post something and receive negative feedback. The resources TikTok shared to help support users on their well-being journey are useful in creating a positive atmosphere on the app, but it’s also important for students to find their own path and surround themselves with the positivity that will best support their mental health.
TikTok’s efforts to support mental-well being
Following the release of last month’s global campaign, “Mental Well-Being Comes First”, TikTok released an overview of the app’s mental health support resources, as well as new research that shares insights into people’s perceptions of mental health.
Users have access to TikTok’s “Well-Being Guide,” which provides tips for those who choose to share personal experiences on TikTok. In addition, users have the option to adjust their settings, which can include setting a time limit, locked by a four-digit passcode, or creating filters for their comment section, which can help make the comments they receive more kind and positive. Students can use these tools to create the best and most positive environment for them, based on their own personal preferences.
Through a partnership with market research firm, YouGov, TikTok conducted a global survey in order to try and better understand their community’s feelings and mental health journeys. Nearly 9 in 10 people surveyed believe their mental well-being is either as or more important than their physical well-being, and 8 in 10 people surveyed said they felt comfortable talking about their mental health. Interestingly, these figures decrease with each generation, with respondents aged 18-24 reporting the highest level of discomfort in talking about their mental health.
TSI’s take on supporting students’ mental health
These results suggest that many students may feel uncomfortable discussing their mental well-being with others. It’s crucial to emphasize to students the importance of understanding how their minds and bodies respond to stress and anxiety and making decisions about social media that best support their mental health.
Here at The Social Institute, two of our Seven Social Standards, Handle The Pressure and Find Your Influencers, emphasize the importance of filling your social media platforms with people and things who inspire you, while also keeping to the beat of your own drum by not letting social media define who you are.
You can equip students to create a more positive social media experience by encouraging them to:
- Be mindful of the content they are consuming on social media
- Follow people and pages who make them feel happy and inspired
- Take a break and unplug when needed
For more strategies on how to use our Seven Social Standards to use social media in ways that will benefit them, check out our blog post on how to manage social media to avoid anxiety.
If you want to learn more about how The Social Institute can teach your students how to use social media in ways that best support their mental health, contact us today for a personalized demo.
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The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in understanding student experiences and creator of #WinAtSocial, a gamified, online learning platform that equips students, educators, and families to navigate social experiences — online and offline — in healthy ways. Our unique, student-respected approach incorporates topics like social media, technology use, and current events that have a significant impact on student well-being. Lessons teach life skills for the modern day to inspire high-character decisions that support the health, happiness, and future success of students, while capturing data that provides insights to school leaders to inform school policy and communications, and enable high-impact teaching and a healthy learning environment. For schools, our turnkey technology allows for easy implementation and a comprehensive game plan to support the well-being of school communities. For schools, our turnkey technology allows for easy implementation and a comprehensive game plan to support the well-being of school communities.