Do you know that mental health therapy is no longer reserved for only those who have a complete breakdown but is also a key means for self-improvement? If your answer is ‘no’, my guess is that you are over 40. Either that or you don’t scroll Instagram. Which we believe is a good thing. But, here’s also the thing: While social media is blamed for the rise in anxiety and ADHD among kids, it is also credited with boosting a shift in attitude towards mental health among grown-ups.
From faking mental wellness to honestly pursuing it
Celebrities like Deepika Padukone, Danish Sait, Supriya Joshi and several more continue to open up on social media about their paths to mental fitness. While at it, they bust myths and show us that mental health concerns are not a secret. Willingness and initiative to visit a psychiatrist and accept medication and/or undergoing some sort of therapy is not as uncommon as before. Only those who live under a rock away from social media narratives may still stigmatise this. They will tell you to be ‘strong’ instead of seeking professional help. Grab a drink, take a vacation, bully a junior at work, have an extra-marital affair or two – but there’s no need to go for therapy. These people are very slowly but steadily being educated too.
Mental health blindness to mental health watching
Not just celebrities but countless others use social media to freely yet courageously share their journeys of developing the openness to assess their own mental health. They express how this helped improve their relationship with themselves, others and life in general and face difficulties productively. A stark contrast to earlier generations that believed it paramount to suppress all but one emotion – happiness – to be respected. Mental soundness was misunderstood as having the strength to battle antagonising relatives, colleagues and managers – but always seem unfazed. The ones who mastered this find it hard to digest anyone else choosing to expose their weakness or refusal to participate. Such undigested emotions continue to manifest as what is now labelled as toxicity – proactively inflicting others with difficulties. Their thinking is that it’s not their problem if others can’t cope with some ‘naturally expected’ harshness.
Meanwhile, an entire generation of adults and the upcoming generations are basking in the warmth of expert mental health care – pointing to a slowly but surely growing density of balanced, healthier individuals. They can tell when something is off and that it is best to get help to navigate things better – as better versions of themselves – despite their packed to-do lists, demanding jobs and dearth of time.
Mental health care in our pocket:
When common people and on occasion, famous people pour out their vulnerabilities for followers across the world to see and relate to, the trolls are met with strong opposition from among the people itself, without needing a response from the author of the post.
The shift in expectations from one’s own mental health has resulted in proactive research on avenues to help oneself to it. A demand that is recognised and met with mood tracking apps such as Moodnotes and Unstuck to habit tracking apps such as Dailyo Journal and Loop and therapy platforms such as Amaha.health, Thera.weave, Heartitout, and Kahamind to name a few. There are also several licensed mental health practitioners amplifying their work via their social media pages such as Thetheraweave, Therapytothepoint. We are helping ourselves to desired portions of mental health care, on the go.
Implications on brands and businesses
This improved awareness about how mental health works is fuelling the public discourse on the impact of individual kindness, empathy and general mindfulness on our immediate surroundings and society by large. A discourse naturally seen spilling onto brands and businesses that are born in this age or brands and businesses that are ready to redefine every aspect of what they do to stay relevant in coming times.
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