Social media. Every day we see our friends, colleagues, celebrities, influencers, and random strangers sharing their stories. They made the right or wrong career choice, relationship choice, rescue puppy choice, low-carb smoothie choice, and on and on. Everyone seems to be winning or losing at life - and they love to share! For some, social media is exciting, positive, interesting, creative! For others, it means comparison, judgement, sadness, even fear! 

What does social media mean to you?

One thing for sure is that it has given an outlet, a voice for mental health topics and issues. Where we used to talk in secret about our feelings, our decision to seek (gasp!) therapy, or our troubles with our partners, friends, colleagues, and kids, we now speak openly, rawly, and honestly about all of these areas. Sometimes our feelings are validated by knowing voices (even strangers can make us feel better!) and other times we are criticized, called out, and shamed.

Even celebrities are speaking out about mental health on social.

Simone Biles can certainly speak to that. She had the entire world glued to their TVs, live streaming, and social media during the 2020 Olympics, which were of course delayed till 2021. Simone unexpectedly dropped out of a competition, seemingly out of nowhere! She instantly had critics, including armchair gymnastic experts who were upset at her. The world waited as she dropped out of competitions one by one. Many thought she was weak or scared. The world was not kind to her. But some individuals were, and they spoke up for her on social media, including Justin Bieber, Oprah Winfrey, and Aly Reisman. Those are three examples of people who probably feel the world watching them every day, waiting for them to succeed or fail.

When Simone stepped away from competing, she put herself first and honored her own mental wellness, something that goes against how we all have been taught to deal with life. Many of us have heard these phrases echoing in our minds; Push through it, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, keep going no matter what. She had the world’s eyes on her and she made a HUGE choice by stepping away. How many of us have needed to step away? But, we feel the stigma and judgment of those around us and push forward anyway? Only to our detriment, and likely also causing more harm than good to those around us (our partners, kids, friends, family, work!)

Have you ever had a decision to make and it felt like the weight of the world was on your shoulders? It can feel overwhelming, scary, and unfair. It’s a common feeling and in retrospect, we might recognize that sometimes those decisions weren’t so big after all. But when we’re trying to decide, we have a lot to consider. All of this, including not wanting to make the wrong choice, not wanting to fail, not wanting to disappoint others, etc. It’s a lot!

The Mental Health Strengths and Shadows of Social Media

In our social media age, there are a lot more resources and information being presented to younger generations that can inform them on particular mental illnesses and outlets that they can utilize to get help. Not only can we search for information about specific mental health issues, we can also be proactive and learn about how to help ourselves and learn about different therapy options. There are many options out there and they are not one-size-fits-all. It might take a little time and effort to find the right fit, but rest assured that there’s an option that will be a great match for you!

So next time you are on social media, (maybe even right now!), think about what messages you are seeing, how it affects you, and the opportunities to share and support others. Make sure to take time and space to check in with yourself and then use social media for good, to find your people, and most importantly, ask for the help you need!

Blocks spelling the word WELLNESS with rocks and a plant. Therapy in Tigard, OR can help you get more balanced. You too can get help for anxiety treatment, stress counseling, and therapy for depression with online therapy in Oregon from a skilled Tigard, OR therapist.

Start Anxiety Treatment in Tigard, OR Today

Our team of skilled Tigard, OR therapists is ready to help you open up to self-discovery for therapy. Contact us today to talk about how we can help you start feeling more grounded and to schedule an appointment with one of our counselors. We offer both face-to-face (in-person) counseling sessions and online therapy In Oregon to residents throughout the state.

More Therapy Services at Discover Counseling in Tigard, OR

Not only can we help with your anxiety and depression, but we can also help navigate difficult life transitions. Especially, the grief and loss we are all feeling right now! This is an especially difficult time for engaged couples and couples on the brink of separation or divorce. Also, for pregnant, postpartum, and parenting couples. Basically, everyone is facing some type of stressor right now. Please let our therapists help you navigate this difficult time.