The pandemic and the nation-wide lockdown was something no one ever saw coming. It changed our lives in different ways and took a toll on the mental health of millions. Since we spend most of our time on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat etc, the content we are exposed to majorly influences our mindset. However, recently, social media giants have come ahead and decided to address the issue of mental health. These are tough times and these platforms are doing their best in encouraging people to seek help and providing support to anyone who needs it.
Here’s how they have been helping their community and users:
1. Instagram
How wholesome is this thread and initiative by Instagram? If you ever search for the hashtag #Depression, Instagram will show you a pop-up, which will ask you whether you would like to see posts or get support. Moreover, the support option will show you tips, healthy practices for mental well-being, helpline numbers and much more. We love how the platform reaches out to people and provides timely help.
2. Pinterest
If you ever search for a word like ‘depression’ or ‘anxiety’ on the Pinterest search bar, it will take you to their well-being webpage which is full of resources and practices that you can try for free to calm yourself down or combat negative thoughts. Pinterest curated these exercises with the help of mental health experts and you can do them at your own pace. However, they aren’t a replacement for professional care, hence they have also provided a helpline number by AASRA in case you need professional support or guidance. Here’s how their well-being page looks like,
We absolutely love how the page in itself is so soothing to look at and it has a variety of excerisies and resources. If you are ever feeling a little low or negatively overwhelmed, give these valuable resources a try!
3. Facebook
Facebook’s mental health support page is similar to that of Instagram. If you type words like ‘depression’ or ‘anxiety’ on their search bar, they will ask you if you need support and provide tips, helpline numbers and resources to get you through the tough time. There is also an option to talk to a friend whom you can trust and rely upon. We are absolutely loving this mental health awareness among brands and social media giants like Facebook.
4. Snapchat
Snap Inc. recently rolled out their new well-being feature called ‘Here For You‘ in India. The main idea behind it is to provide in-app support to Snapchat users who are going through a tough time or facing any emotional issues. If you search for words like ‘anxiety’, the platform will show you multiple resources and reading material which can help improve your mental state. Snap Inc. partnered with experts in order to create articles and resources on topics like anxiety, loneliness, depression etc. You can give them a read or also share it with friends whom you think can benefit from those articles.
We strongly believe this is a great step that all these social media giants have taken in order to normalise talking about mental health. There is nothing wrong in reaching out to professionals and seeking help. Always remember to put your mental well-being before anything else. These practices will not only empower the online community but also educate more and more people about mental health.
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