Can you trust the mental health advice on your feed?

DW (English)

Social media is full of mental health videos, covering anything from ADHD, to depression and burnout. But many contain misinformation. Here's what you need to know.

Transcript

00:01Have you seen videos like this on your timeline?

00:04From ADHD to anxiety and depression, social media is flooded with mental health advice.

00:10The problem? A lot of it just isn't true.

00:13Still, many turn to TikTok, Insta and YouTube for help.

00:17So, how can you tell what's real and what's not? Let's break it down.

00:21A recent investigation by British newspaper The Guardian looked at 100 TikToks with the hashtag MentalHealthTips.

00:28They showed them to experts, like psychologists and academics.

00:32Over half were found to contain misinformation. Many more were misleading.

00:37And it's not just TikTok.

00:38A review of dozens of studies found that misinformation on mental health is widespread on all social media platforms.

00:45Experts even described this as part of a rampant public health crisis.

00:49Okay, so what do you need to watch out for?

00:53Some creators misuse psychological terms, like using anxiety and depression, as if they meant the same thing.

01:01They don't.

01:02This creates confusion about what a mental illness really is.

01:05Quick self-diagnosis is another red flag.

01:08Having a few symptoms means you have a disorder? Not really.

01:12Mental health is complex.

01:14Often, it's a spectrum of symptoms that point towards different disorders.

01:18Also, some videos label everyday feelings as disorders.

01:22Things get oversimplified, which can make real mental health issues seem less serious.

01:27Lastly, there's lots of sketchy treatment advice.

01:31Supplements, oils, life hacks.

01:34At best, they don't help.

01:35At worst, they interfere with real medical treatment.

01:38But why are those videos even popular?

01:41Well, it comes down to one basic social media principle.

01:46Platforms try to keep you hooked for as long as possible.

01:49So, algorithms boost emotional, catchy videos, even if they're not accurate.

01:54Creators often mix advice with personal stories.

01:57This makes it engaging and relatable.

02:00The tricky part?

02:01We trust the people we follow and subconsciously look for confirmation.

02:05If a video matches what we already suspect, we're more likely to believe it.

02:10So, what can you do to protect yourself?

02:12First, cross-check the creator's credentials.

02:15Are they a licensed therapist?

02:17A doctor?

02:18Google them.

02:19Are they legit?

02:20Be careful with oversimplified advice.

02:23Mental health treatment isn't a one-size-fits-all.

02:26There are no quick fixes.

02:28Always cross-check the information with trusted sources like the WHO.

02:32Or better yet, ask your doctor.

02:34But shouldn't the platforms keep an eye on this as well?

02:38Some are trying.

02:39TikTok works with the WHO to combat health misinformation.

02:43YouTube also promises to strengthen their medical misinformation policy and remove harmful advice.

02:49Unfortunately, at X and Meta, there's little moderation nowadays.

02:54They're betting on community notes to flag misleading content.

02:58Bottom line, a lot of false information is still getting through.

03:03So, it's on us to stay sharp.

03:05Think before you trust and always double-check.

03:08That's it from me.

03:09Thanks for watching and take care of yourself.

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