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SOCIAL MEDIA EFFECTS ON MENTAL HEALTH
The aim f this publication is to assist learners understand the contribution of social media to
mental illness
Robertson the tutor
, 2
Introduction
Mental illness symptoms have been a significant concern in the American healthcare
system and have attracted the attention of organizations such as the National Alliance of
Mental illness (NAMI). Similarly, several epidemiological studies, such as Naslund et al.,
have reported a sharp increase in the demand for counseling services in learning institutions
and among the general public. According to Saha et al. (See figure 1), mental illness
symptoms such as anxiety, depression, stress, and suicidal ideation have risen since 2011,
hence demanding appropriate solutions from the healthcare organization and development
partners. Subsequently, scholars have linked the rise in mental illness to social media and
personal computing behavior among the American population. Social media has become an
integral channel of communication and sharing ideas and content. Meeker and Liang
confirmed that 89% of Americans own smartphones and other gadgets as of 2018 that enable
them to connect to the internet, possibly confirming the steady rise in mental illness among
Americans. Since social media has become an integral channel of communication and sharing
ideas and content, it has become addictive and negatively impacted mental health, affecting
many students and the general population. Iowa State University, for instance, has adopted
comprehensive students’ health and welfare pragmas in combating mental illness among the
students. Iowa State University has a mental health support campus plan for student wellness,
recreation services, counseling services, and health centers.
Study background
Mental illness is highly prevalent and has become a significant health concern in the
US and other developed countries, more so in learning institutions. The rising cases of mental
illness have proved that not just etiological factors are responsible. Scholars have shown that
the growing interest in social media could also contribute significantly to this trend in mental
SOCIAL MEDIA EFFECTS ON MENTAL HEALTH
The aim f this publication is to assist learners understand the contribution of social media to
mental illness
Robertson the tutor
, 2
Introduction
Mental illness symptoms have been a significant concern in the American healthcare
system and have attracted the attention of organizations such as the National Alliance of
Mental illness (NAMI). Similarly, several epidemiological studies, such as Naslund et al.,
have reported a sharp increase in the demand for counseling services in learning institutions
and among the general public. According to Saha et al. (See figure 1), mental illness
symptoms such as anxiety, depression, stress, and suicidal ideation have risen since 2011,
hence demanding appropriate solutions from the healthcare organization and development
partners. Subsequently, scholars have linked the rise in mental illness to social media and
personal computing behavior among the American population. Social media has become an
integral channel of communication and sharing ideas and content. Meeker and Liang
confirmed that 89% of Americans own smartphones and other gadgets as of 2018 that enable
them to connect to the internet, possibly confirming the steady rise in mental illness among
Americans. Since social media has become an integral channel of communication and sharing
ideas and content, it has become addictive and negatively impacted mental health, affecting
many students and the general population. Iowa State University, for instance, has adopted
comprehensive students’ health and welfare pragmas in combating mental illness among the
students. Iowa State University has a mental health support campus plan for student wellness,
recreation services, counseling services, and health centers.
Study background
Mental illness is highly prevalent and has become a significant health concern in the
US and other developed countries, more so in learning institutions. The rising cases of mental
illness have proved that not just etiological factors are responsible. Scholars have shown that
the growing interest in social media could also contribute significantly to this trend in mental
