I N D U S T R Y I N V E S T I G A T I O N
LIFESTANCE SURVEY FINDS NEARLY ONE-THIRD OF AMERICANS USE SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT TO SELF-DIAGNOSE MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS
A LifeStance survey reveals the profound impact of social media on Americans’ mental health and relationships, stemming from the prevalence of an‘ alwayson’ connectivity culture and a growing reliance on online mental health content, despite concerns about misinformation and credibility.
The LifeStance survey,‘ Navigating Mental Health in the Age of Social Media,’ found that nearly one-quarter( 23 %) of respondents have sought mental health advice on social media, and almost one-third( 29 %) have self-diagnosed a mental health condition based on what they have seen online. Further, more than half( 54 %) of respondents reported seeing mental health misinformation on social media at least weekly, and 27 % reported experiencing stress or anxiety from attempted self-diagnosis.
Importantly, 81 % do not believe mental health content on social media is an adequate replacement for evidence-based
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