The struggles of mental health and the internet

By Monica Carrillo-Casas

MOSCOW, Idaho-- We've all seen the #TikTok videos with big bold letters that quickly draw us in and usually go along the lines of this: 5 signs you have anxiety; 15 signs you are actually bipolar; or even, 10 signs you might have depression.

Some may say it helps some may not. So what is it?

As someone who deals who anxiety and takes medication for it, going on #TikTok and seeing videos along those lines aren't exactly helpful, but seeing someone who is already diagnosed, is.

I was in a class where this topic was brought up, not too long ago, and it seemed like it was divided between peers as well. Some had the same thought process as I did--- seeing others deal with the same diagnoses can help relieve symptoms.

But for others, they thought mental illnesses were being romanticized.

And it could be both.

It's important to take accountability of what background #TikTokers or any content creator has in that topic. These last couple of months, various therapists and licensed health workers have taken their knowledge onto the world of TikTok to spread what they know and help young people worldwide, when it might be important to get a mental health check.

But others have only spread misinformation, causing several teens to self-diagnose.

TikTok, in terms of their company,has declined to comment on this controversy of a topic, in which health misinformation and users self-diagnosing have increased, according to The Guardian.

This could cause much more challenges, controlling their app and how lightly or sternly a teenager takes these videos.

However, it seems that if you look in the right place and do some extensive research TikTok can be helpful for many minorities who aren't able to afford a visit a doctor for mental health checkups.

Having licensed professionals on the app, share their knowledge and inform the public of the work they do and the signs they should be aware of for certain mental illnesses and disorders, not only makes mental health help more accessible, it encourages them to seek outside resources.

So even though for most TikTokers, you should take their advice with a grain of salt, there are helpful licensed professionals out there on the app.

Do you think mental illnesses are being romanticized on the internet?