MORE THAN HALF( 54 %) OF RESPONDENTS REPORTED SEEING MENTAL HEALTH MISINFORMATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA AT LEAST WEEKLY.
I N D U S T R Y I N V E S T I G A T I O N mental health care. With the prevalence of non-clinical sources sharing mental health information online, the need for accessible, high-quality care provided by licensed clinicians is crucial to help decipher fact from fiction and develop a clinically appropriate treatment plan.
“ Social media is a double-edged sword. While it has helped to normalise discussions about mental health, its potential for spreading misinformation poses a threat to individual well-being through the risk of harmful self-diagnosis and delayed professional intervention,” said Dr Ujjwal Ramtekkar, Chief Medical Officer, LifeStance Health.“ Our survey emphasises the importance of recognising the limitations of online content and seeking online information from qualified sources and evidence-based mental health care from licensed clinicians. We must continue working toward ensuring everyone who needs it has access to affordable, highquality mental health care.”
Key findings from the survey include:
Being‘ chronically online’ is pervasive, especially among younger generations.
• Over one-quarter( 26 %) of respondents check social media within five minutes of waking up, and the same portion( 26 %) spend four hours or more daily on social media.
• Nearly one-third( 29 %) of respondents report being‘ constantly connected’ to the internet or social media – Gen Z( 45 %)
MORE THAN HALF( 54 %) OF RESPONDENTS REPORTED SEEING MENTAL HEALTH MISINFORMATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA AT LEAST WEEKLY.
www. intelligenthealth. tech 41