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Introduction
Social media usage has become widespread in the last ten years globally. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat are popular with the majority of individuals. Anxiety and depression among teenagers are on the rise, which can be blamed on an increase in the time spent on the platforms. Social media usage creates mental health problems that can be solved through the enhancement of mental health education in schools and improving access to help for patients. This is because learning and support for people with mental health issues can provide positive outcomes.
The Problem
Social media has become a big part of the everyday activities of most people. The popularity of different platforms is a result of the need to stay connected. Data shows that 82% of the population of the United States has a social presence (Abi-Jaoude et al. 136). The statistics also show that Facebook is the most popular platform with 74.2% of U.S. adults using the site (Abi-Jaoude et al. 136). Research on the effects of social media usage shows that it can affect the mental health of an individual (Coyne et al.). Social media allows individuals in different parts of the world to be in touch (OReilly et al. 602). This can be advantageous because connectivity enhances the ability to conduct business. However, continued usage of social media has been blamed for a rise in mental health issues.
One of the ways social media affects the mental health of people is that it creates the need to compare with others. This is because platforms are created using a model that allows people to share their personal information. Most people may derive feelings of not being good enough or the perception that perfection is possible (Coyne et al.). The need to achieve the same status as other people on the platforms can result in mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. The problem is that people who share their information on social media provide tiny aspects of their life.
Another aspect is that social media affects the sleep pattern of most people. Research has shown that people have a hard time logging off because of the fear of missing out (Keles and Grealish 81). Social media provides individuals with access to current information and this can create dependency. Spending a bigger part of the day on social media can disrupt the sleep patterns of people, which can result in a rise in depression and anxiety (Abi-Jaoude et al. 138). Research shows that sleep helps the body to regain energy, which ensures that an individual achieves full productivity (OReilly et al. 603). Continuous social media usage causes an individual to sleep late and sleep fewer hours. Supporters of social media have claimed that social media is beneficial when used in the right way. However, this position is not correct because it assumes that people understand how to use social media correctly. Therefore, social media usage contributes to a rise in mental health issues because it increases the need to compare with others and affects sleep patterns.
Solutions
Mental Health Education
Teenagers are the most affected by social media usage because of peer pressure. Schools have a crucial part to play in ensuring that people understand how mental health manifests. The government can support schools to enhance their mental health education. This can include creating films that focus on how social media can lead to mental health issues. Research shows that early social and emotional development can provide a foundation for handling mental health issues (Keles and Grealish 68). The majority of mental illnesses in adults can be traced from their childhood and early adolescence. Therefore, mental health education is important for children and young adults.
Another aspect that schools should focus on is the stigma that emanates from being viewed as mentally ill. Children and young adults should be taught that mental illnesses are similar to other diseases in that they affect an individuals ability to be productive. Creating understanding can show people that mental issues can affect any individual, which can reduce the stigma facing persons with psychological illnesses (OReilly et al. 612). The government has a significant role to play in enhancing the recognition of mental health issues. Educational programs can provide teenagers with strategies they can adopt to prevent being affected by psychological issues.
Improving Access to Care
One of the ways that the government may improve access to care is to cover mental health conditions in health insurance policies. This is essential because it allows people affected by mental illnesses to access care easily. Hospital costs for the treatment of psychological issues are significantly high (Abi-Jaoude et al. 138). People from households with low-income levels struggle to access care, which can enhance the conditions (Abi-Jaoude et al. 138). Receiving support at the right time results in faster recovery. Another strategy is to increase the availability of entities that offer mental health services in underserved places. These are areas that have received less development attention and have higher poverty levels and violence. Enhancing the services in these places can result in more people receiving support.
Another way to improve access to care is to ensure that inaccessible places receive support. This can be done through the use of mobile clinics that respond to issues of mental health in a specific area. Quick support can also help prevent the after-effects of mental health issues. This is because people experiencing psychological distress can be involved in acts of violence. Rapid services can help de-escalate the issue and provide assistance (Abi-Jaoude et al. 139). A change in the way the health system addresses mental health issues can contribute to better results. Therefore, improving access to care for people with mental health illnesses can reduce the risk of psychological issues caused by social media usage.
Arguments in Support of the Solutions
Social media has been linked with causing a rise in mental health illnesses around the world. In the United States, teenagers are the most affected by psychological issues brought about by social media use (Abi-Jaoude et al. 136). Providing people with mental health education can help show the connection between the use of social media and the development of mental issues (Huo et al. 2). This is essential because people need to understand the link to ensure they reduce their time on the platforms. The government can enhance the mental health programs provided in schools. This can be done by providing training to teachers on how to handle mental health issues. Educators spend the majority of their time with students and can understand when they are affected by psychological issues. Signs such as lower academic performance and missing school can indicate that a learner is experiencing mental health issues. Ending the stigmatization that people with mental illness undergo can also help in raising awareness about the impacts of mental health issues (Huo et al. 16). Therefore, mental health education can result in individuals making better decisions concerning social media usage.
Improving the access to care for people affected by mental illness focuses on individuals who are already facing psychological distress. As indicated earlier, social media usage can increase anxiety and depression. Most of the people who are affected by mental issues have a problem accessing support and care (Huo et al. 2). Individuals who live in underserved areas have a greater challenge because these places do not have adequate infrastructure. In the United States, it is the police who respond to cases involving people with psychological distress. Law enforcement agencies do not have the right training to de-escalate such situations. There is a need for providing rapid and remote access through the use of mobile clinics. These centers can focus on responding to cases involving individuals suffering from mental issues. The government can work to enhance the mental health care system around the country to ensure it caters to all people. Social media usage is likely to keep rising, which means that mental health issues will also increase.
Conclusion
In summary, even though supporters of social media indicate it offers advantages, research has shown that it is linked to a rise in anxiety and depression. Social media affects sleep patterns and causes people to compare their life with that of others. Mental health education and improving access to care for people with psychological issues can reduce the prevalence of mental illnesses.
Works Cited
Abi-Jaoude, Elia, Karline Treurnicht Naylor, and Antonio Pignatiello. Smartphones, social media use, and youth mental health. Cmaj, vol. 192, no. 6, 2020, pp. 136-141. Web.
Coyne, Sarah M., et al. Does time spent using social media impact mental health? An eight-year longitudinal study. Computers in Human Behavior, vol. 104, 2020, p. 106160. Web.
Hou, Yubo, et al. Social media addiction: Its impact, mediation, and intervention. Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace, vol. 13, no. 1, 2019, pp. 1-17. Web.
Keles, Betul, Niall McCrae, and Annmarie Grealish. A systematic review: the influence of social media on depression, anxiety and psychological distress in adolescents. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, vol. 25, no. 1, 2020, pp. 79-93. Web.
OReilly, Michelle, et al. Is social media bad for mental health and wellbeing? Exploring the perspectives of adolescents. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, vol. 23, no. 4, 2018, pp. 601-613. Web.
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