DOES MY SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCE MY MENTAL HEALTH?

Shah Alam, 24 July 2023 – Social media is an integral part of human connection today. Users share their lives across multiple platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and the newest application to join the fold, Threads, each expanding with ever increasing features by the day to boost engagement. In a world becoming increasingly challenging for one to be unplugged, how is social media influencing Malaysians and their perception of self-worth?

The Gardenia KL 2023 Wellness Begins at Home survey recently revealed that 32.4% of respondents aged between 26 and 30 years were more likely to feel depressed when they saw postings of their peers and their lives compared to other respondent age groups (23%). The data highlights a growing concern around mental health of social media users.

“We believe conversations about mental health should involve people of all ages, from the young to seniors. This is the driving factor behind our Wellness Begins at Home initiative which champions wellness of the family unit and all at home. The findings from our survey clearly highlights a need for greater awareness and openness to discuss mental health stressors and healthier ways to manage challenges,” explained Gardenia Bakeries KL, Corporate Affairs and Public Relations General Manager, Hazlinah Harun.

According to survey, respondents who were experiencing financial problems tended to avoid social media in the hopes of reducing the likelihood of feeling poorly about their situation. The data mirrors Schwab's 2019 Modern Wealth survey reported in an article by CNBC, which found that 49% of millennials claimed social media impacted their spending on expensive activities. According to another report by McLean Hospital — the psychiatric arm of Harvard Medical School — social platforms are designed to be addictive and have been associated with anxiety, depression and other ailments. Having said that, social media has also been pivotal in promoting self-expression, raising awareness and staying connected.

“When the Covid-19 pandemic happened, we were not prepared physically and mentally. Most people lost contact with their friends and close ones, especially with the movement control orders. This greatly affected mental wellness among many people from all ages. We hope to continue the conversation around mental health through the Wellness Begins at Home platform for years to come because mental wellness is a process and it should be cultivated starting with the home,” explained President of Mental Illness Awareness and Support Association (MIASA), Puan Anita Abu Bakar.

Ultimately, social media can be a powerful tool for supporting mental health, but it must be used responsibly and in moderation. Here are some tips to practice positive use of social media for better mental health:

1. Keep posts positive,
2. Treat others kindly and as how you would like to be treated,
3. Allocate time to unplug from social media to pursue other interests,
4. Avoid measuring your self-worth based on superficial ‘likes’, and
5. Understand that beauty and success come in different forms.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please reach out to MIASA via www.miasa.org.my which offers mental health assessment and consultation, counselling services, spiritual therapy, therapeutic assessment, psychological services, and peer support. Alternatively, contact the MIASA 24-hour helpline at 1-800-820-066.

To catch the Gardenia ‘Wellness Begins at Home’ discussion, visit @GardeniaKL’s Facebook and Youtube