Browsing by keyword "self-harm"
Now showing items 1-2 of 2
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SoMe and Self Harm: The use of social media in depressed and suicidal youthIncreased access and use of social media on smartphones and tablets have changed interpersonal communication styles. Because of the ease of social media access and the ability to reach a large number of individuals, social media is an ever more important modality that connects individuals. Importantly, adolescents have adopted social media platforms to discuss issues related to mental health. There is little existing data regarding how adolescents who are depressed or suicidal use social media prior to treatment in the emergency department (ED) for medical care of their psychiatric illness. In this paper, we present formative evidence of social media behaviors in 29 adolescents seeking emergency care for depression or suicidal ideation. Participants were surveyed regarding social media use and motivations to post content regarding depression, death or dying. Among the participants who allowed the research team to view their social media accounts, 40% (n=6) posted content related to depression, death or dying, while 20% (n=3) wrote that they felt depressed and 13.3% (n=2) posted that they wanted to die. Qualitative discussions with participants provided description of reasons for posting content on social media about depression, death and dying, or reasons that individuals refrained from posting online. Despite methodological and technical challenges in research, social media may prove be valuable in detection and intervention of adolescents who are depressed and contemplating suicide.
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The Mental Health and Social Media Use of Young Australians during the COVID-19 PandemicYoung people may be particularly vulnerable to the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and may also be more likely to use social media at this time. This study aimed to explore young people's mental health and social media use during the COVID-19 pandemic and examined their use of social media to seek and provide support for suicidal thoughts and self-harm during this period. Young people aged 16-25 (n = 371, M = 21.1) from the general population in Australia completed an anonymous, cross-sectional online survey advertised on social media from June to October 2020. Participants reported high levels of psychological distress, with over 40% reporting severe levels of anxiety and depression, and those with a mental health diagnosis were more likely to perceive the pandemic to have had a negative impact on their mental health. Gender-diverse participants appeared the most negatively impacted. Social media use was high, with 96% reporting use at least once a day, and two-thirds reporting an increase in social media use since the start of the pandemic. One-third had used social media to seek support for suicidal thoughts or self-harm, and half had used it to support another person. This study adds to a growing literature suggesting social media can provide an opportunity to support young people experiencing psychological distress and suicide risk. Uniquely, this study points to the utility of using social media for this purpose during high-risk periods such as pandemics, where access to face-to-face support may be limited. To promote the quality and safety of support provided on social media, resources for help-seekers and help-givers should be developed and disseminated. Social media companies must consider the vulnerability of some users during pandemics and do what they can to promote wellbeing and safety.
