Mental Health and the "Media Bias”

It’s no secret that mental health illnesses have been on the rise. With social media being more prevalent than ever and constant exposure to uncertainties in the world, there seems to be a disconnect from society, and even within ourselves. In the United States alone, between 2019 and 2023, there has been a rise of mental health diagnoses by a whopping 40%. An extensive number of studies have been conducted proving the negative effects of social media and too much consumption of negative news. Unfortunately, many of us can’t go about our daily lives without these two. Social media has adapted to becoming a career generator and has opened the door to many who use it. On top of that, it has also become one of the main outlets for marketing. As for the news, it’s important to consume some degree so you can stay well informed about the world around you. The only problem is, how do we decipher what is “using it too much?” This answer will vary between individuals, which is expected, but makes it difficult to come to a common consensus for how to deal with these, to potentially lower the rates of mental health illnesses. To lower these effects, experts recommend several strategies. Limiting social media use to about 30 minutes per day can reduce feelings of loneliness and improve overall mood. Additionally, replacing some social media time with physical activity (i.e. a 30-minute daily walk) has been shown to enhance emotional well-being and reduce stress, with benefits lasting up to six months. Mindful consumption of news is just as important. Techniques like the APPLE method (Acknowledge, Pause, pull back, Let go, and explore), can help individuals process distressing news without becoming overwhelmed. Engaging in activities that promote gratitude, such as journaling or expressing appreciation to others, can also counteract the negative impacts of both social media and news consumption. By implementing these practices, individuals can foster resilience and maintain better mental health in the digital age. Ending this rather short blog entry, I will leave with today’s question. If you were assigned the task of handling this and creating a research team to experiment possible methods that will be implemented in everyday life, what approaches would you take, and why?