Mental Health in Young People and Social Media

Depression, generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and social anxiety disorder. These are common mental health disorders. Nowadays there is a higher proportion of people being diagnosed with mental health, particularly young people. Mental health is to do with a person’s condition and their psychological and emotional well-being. Does social media play a part in affecting our mental health?

The NHS Digital survey that is carried out every 7 years showed that there has been an increase among adults, from 16.3% in 2000 to 17.5% in 2014, with an increase among women than men with mental health disorder. Women aged between 16 and 24 seem to be a high-risk group. According to the study of mental health and wellbeing, one in five women suffer from anxiety and depression compared to one in eight men in 2014. Young women also have a higher rate of self-harm, post-traumatic stress and bipolar disorders.

Concerns regarding whether social media has increased peer-group pressure and online bullying has been discussed by psychiatrists and mental health campaigners. Social media is a powerful tool for young people; it allows them to connect, express and discover their interests. However, it is also causing them to have increased pressure: pressure to be perfect, to look perfect, act perfect, have the perfect body, have the perfect group of friends. The NHS Digital team pointed out that the current 16 to 24-year-olds are the first to grow up in the social-media era and that there has been a recession and changes in digital technology. Click on the link for more statistical publications. NHS-Mental Health

Despite having a £250m annual funding increase for children and adolescent mental health services, things did not improve in the financial year 2015-2016. The Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, says this government has introduced mental health waiting times and is backing an NHS plan to revolutionise mental health care. Do you think social media is having an impact on your mental health? If so support is available: Aye Mind, Ditch the Label . The Mental Health Foundation also that offers a range of self-help guides to inform and encourage a greater understanding of mental health challenges Mental Health Org. The long-term goal is to have people value mental health as much as physical health.

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