3 ways to be an Educated Consumer of Mental Health Information Online

A study by McKinsey found that Gen Zers have the least positive life outlook. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the already widespread mental health issues of young people. Social media has been a resource for education and connection surrounding mental wellness but it can be tough to parse the helpful from the not so helpful. The internet is a treasure trove of information, but unfortunately not all of it is accurate, especially on social media. With the right presentation and delivery, it isn’t difficult to convey convincing information regardless of how truthful it is. Furthermore, in the context of an isolating global crisis, everyone is desperate for connection and community so it may be easier to ignore warning signs of misinformation in search of that connection. While it’s great that social media allows us to have larger conversations about mental health and coping, those positive effects are undermined by misinformation. 

There is nothing shameful about trusting an inaccurate source. It’s important, however, to make sure that any information about mental health, especially if it’s actionable, is factual and helpful for a particular individual. As the Psychiatric Times explains, “media pollution, which can intensify anxiety… as well as contribute to unsuccessful therapies… is inextricably linked to misinformation and false news.” So not only is mental health misinformation irresponsible to spread, but also actively harmful. On that note, you should ensure that everything you share in addition to consume is accurate, to the best of your ability. Unfortunately, one study found that “experiencing clinical depression was still strongly associated with an increased likelihood of endorsing misinformation” which makes it even more difficult to parse through. Here are some suggestions that may help you navigate this complicated landscape:

Don't take things at face value; question them!

Some good questions to ask yourself when you come across a dubious post are:

• Is this the original account, article, or piece of content?

• Who shared this or created it?

• When was this created?

• What account is sharing this? When was the account created? Do they share things from all over the world at all times during the day and night? Could this be a bot?

• Why was this shared?

Use fact checking websites

Websites like Snopes, Health News Review, and Politifact are made specifically for fact checking. These are great first stops in your fact checking journey. The non-profit Bellingcat also has an amazing compilation of “online investigation” resources that cover the verification of images, social media posts, news articles, and more.

When in doubt, ask for help

If you look into the information at hand and still aren’t sure how true it is, check in with a trusted friend, or therapist perhaps one versed in mental health and psychology. 

It can be intimidating to wade through the dizzying amount of mental health misinformation but with these skills and tips, you’ll be better equipped to parse through it. Luckily, in addition to the misinformation, we also have tons of resources at our fingertips to verify it as long as we’re willing to take the time. Happy fact checking!

Spreading Awareness At Home

As some of you may know, April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Much of what we see in the media concerning prevention of sexual assault is geared towards women (who make up the majority of victims/ survivors). Many articles are written describing the steps women can take to prevent being sexually assaulted. Some of these steps include never walk alone at night, never take a drink from a stranger, be careful how you dress, safety in numbers. While these are all wonderful reminders (and often necessary in this day and age), they are still victim blaming in nature. They also refute the statistics about sexual assault that say most survivors of sexual assault know their perpetrators. Sexual assault rarely occurs at the hand of a stranger in an a dark alley as movies and TV shows like us to believe. 

The only way to truly prevent sexual assault from occurring is to directly engage with potential perpetrators. And, since most perpetrators are men, I believe that we must start to educate boys around expectations, disappointment, and consent. Not only should sex education in schools include these topics, there are ways we can incorporate these lessons in every day life. 

The ways in which I talk to my kids about love, respect, and body autonomy also embody these values. I teach my children that they do not owe anyone their body. They do not have to hug or kiss any family members just because they love them. My children have complete body autonomy and decide when and who they engage with physically. This does not mean I am not teaching them manners and respect of elders. However, they get to choose how they greet them. They may hug and kiss, shake hands, fist bump or simply nod but they are learning to look people in the eye and acknowledge them respectfully. Feelings of love do not equate to physical interactions. I also ask their permission for physical affection. I do not believe I am entitled to hugs and kisses because I love them. I want them to internalize the fact that simply because you love someone or they love you, does not mean they will want to engage in physical contact with them. At times this is difficult but it also teaches them the concept of body autonomy. 

We also stop any activity once someone says “STOP”. This was a more difficult lesson for them to learn. They would often yell stop while being tickled and not mean it. But in our house, the word stop (and any other statements like it) are taken very seriously. I want them to know that stop means stop and no means no. I also include the idea of consent and body autonomy when I have to interfere in physical fights between the two. I use language that includes ”You may not touch her body without her permission” and “You may not touch him in ways that he does not consent to”. I want them to be comfortable with these concepts from a young age.

We also have conversations about entitlement and ways to deal with and process disappointment. I validate their feelings while helping them to understand that they must earn respect and permission. Disappointment is difficult for children, it’s difficult for some adults as well. They are encouraged to express emotions but they also know that they are not owed anything in this world. As they have gotten older, my kids have come to realize that disappointment is a part of life and they, at times, can use this disappointment to work harder to get the things they desire. They are learning that at times that means giving a person space, or respecting others, not just actively pursuing the things they want. I want my daughter to understand she does not owe anyone her body and I want my son to internalize that he is not owed anything simply because he is male. These are lessons that will serve them well in many aspect of life. 

Until we teach our children these core values, we will continue to see sexual assault at the rates we have seen in the past. Until then, we must continue to provide survivors and potential survivors with the resources they need to protect themselves. Additional resources on parenting and sexual abuse and assault prevention can be found here.