The subject of social media has come up a number of times in earlier episodes of the Let’s Talk Mate podcast, most prominently during the Body Image and Anger Management episodes.

The latest episode focused solely on social media, its place in conversations around mental health, building a healthy relationship with it, and the benefits of how it has allowing more ways to reach people with mental health support and resources.

For this episode of Let’s Talk Mate, regulars Sam and Rob were joined by Mike from the Mental Health Blog Awards.

Social medias place in conversations around mental health

With how often it has come up in earlier episodes, it is hard to have a conversation around modern day mental health, with taking the impact of social media into consideration.

Rob explained: “It does come up an awful lot, there is no escaping social media, it is a part of everyday life. Service users I’ve supported their take on that will depend on… sometimes a generational thing.

“Being someone who is nearly 40 now, I remember social media in its infancy. Some of our younger service users might be more able to see the positive side, they’ve grown up with it. Whereas some of our older service users might find it harder to get on with, or it may not play a significant factor in their life.”

Mike, who works for Havant & East Hants Mind by day, added: “I used to talk about social media as a tool, you know it's not good or bad, it's how we use it. I would always talk about it being like a ruler, you can use it for its purpose, or you can misuse it and cause harm.

“Then I started looking more into algorithms, how people are targeted and sent down different avenues, so with that it is a little more than a tool; The ruler isn’t sitting in the drawer trying to think of ways to get me to pick it back up again.”

Building a health relationship with social media

While experiences and opinions on social media vary, there is still the need to build a health relationship with it.

Sam shares his experience: “There was a time in my life where I’d say I used it as a bit of a crutch, at a certain point it helped me but then it got to a stage where I relied on it too much. I was almost using it social media instead of going to therapy, which is probably what I needed more at the time.

“I didn’t really know it at the time until I did get a bit better, you look back and you realise. When I was 13/14/15, it was so beneficial to me. As I have gained more control over my mental health a little more, I have needed and used social media less.”

Mike agreed and said: “That first bit is almost you are finding your own community, and sometimes they become friends and you talk away from social media. One of the things I remember was Twitter chats, and there was two or three a week, and I would be at them all.

“You get to meet other people, you share the things you are struggling with, hear about other people's experiences, and they felt like a real community space. They are still things that I recommend to people, but not necessarily things I go to myself, its where you are in your journey and that is not necessarily the same as someone else.”

Increasing the accessibility of services through social media

After hands being forced at the start of the pandemic, the benefits of offering online services have been crucial before during and beyond the pandemic.

While many still find face to face sessions the best way for them, many other people are accessing mental health services where previously they would have struggled, whether that be due to distance or varying levels of anxiety in regard to leaving the house, travel, or anything else affecting your ability to access mental health services in person.

Rob said: “For me, nothing can replace face to face support, but let's recognise that some people were struggling to access that. The benefits have been that we’ve looked at all the different ways we can reach people and support people, that blended approach really is the future.”

Mike added: “It makes such a big difference and sometimes you need that big push for social change to happen. In Hampshire we have 3 local Minds, which is a string offering, but it is still reliant on someone being able to and comfortable in going to access those services.

“Maybe they live a five minute walk away, but that doesn’t matter if they can’t go outside, if they are worried or concerned about that. It is not always how close you are, it is the access.”

As well as mental health services, social media has helped to make resources more easily accessible, but also increase general awareness of mental health and educate people on what they might be feeling.

Sam explained: “Even in the early stages of realising I had mental health issues versus just being sad, or this just being how life is. Especially when you’re a teenager, people are bad for just disregarding it as ‘oh you’re just a teenager, it is just hormones’.

“It wasn’t until I would see what other people are saying and other peoples experiences that I would see similarities and things would make a little more sense for me.” 

Check out the full episode of Let’s Talk Mate here: https://bit.ly/3x1Fzbl

Or to listen to the podcast, click here: https://spoti.fi/3wVyfhH