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Mind Matters: Enhancing Digital Well-being Through Online Resources, Awareness, and Education

SpeakerS:

Suzy Loftus, Head of TikTok USDS Trust and Safety, TikTok
Amanda Yarnell, Senior director, Center for Health Communication, and Lecturer, Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Andy Pattison, Team lead digital channels, World Health Organization
Dr. Judith Joseph, Owner, Dr. Judith Joseph Media Inc.
Nadia Addesi, Social Worker and Psychotherapist

With Principal Programming Partner

“Traditional institutional authority voice is less compelling to people, less trusted, than the one that we feel like we have a connection with—some authenticity—the kind of authenticity that creators like Nadia and Judith are creating.” Amanda Yarnell
“Our plan was to bring these people together, and now we have 800 creators—all healthcare professionals, doctors, nurses, wonderful people like you two creators—who every week we send them information, we send them data, we send them the latest what's top of mind at WHO on a global level.” Andy Pattison
“I was diagnosed with ADHD honestly because of TikTok. I saw other mental health professionals talking about it, and when I was learning about it, I was like, 'Oh, this is me.' So I was 30 years old, I got diagnosed, so I see how helpful it is, and it's been such an incredible experience to also offer that to other people who went through similar things that I did.” Nadia Addesi
“If you search up depression, autism, trauma, you're going to be directed to experts that can provide you with reliable information. That's what we're going to talk about today: how do we connect people in a moment to reliable information that can help them and support their mental health and well-being.” Suzy Loftus
“As a researcher, social media has allowed me to translate very, very complex information into 60 seconds in an evidence-based way. Doctors need this; healthcare providers need this—they just don't feel supported. And so it's important to give them the tools, let them know that they're not going to be sued if they say the wrong thing, that there are ways to cover yourself adequately, and that this is a powerful tool.” Dr. Judith Joseph

Key takeaways:

  • The power of social media in mental health education: Social media platforms like TikTok can serve as effective tools for disseminating evidence-based mental health information and connecting millions of users with reliable resources.
  • Importance of supporting mental health creators: Providing creators with the right supports and toolkits enhances their ability to communicate health information effectively and combat misinformation. 
  • Bridging the gap between online education and professional support: Recognizing that educational content alone is not enough, creators like Nadia Addesi have developed platforms such as Cocoon Connects to provide direct access to mental health professionals. 
  • Identifying and addressing emerging mental health trends: Social media platforms can help identify widespread but under-recognized mental health issues, such as high-functioning depression and adult ADHD, leading to increased research and awareness. Dr. Judith Joseph’s content on high-functioning depression reached over 20 million views, highlighting the global need for understanding this condition. 
  • Collaborative efforts between institutions and creators: Institutions like the World Health Organization recognize the value of partnering with creators to communicate health information in a relatable and authentic manner. 

Action items:

  • Develop scalable support systems for creators: Implement training programs and provide resources to help creators produce accurate and engaging mental health content. 
  • Foster partnerships between public health institutions and social media creators: Encourage collaboration to amplify evidence-based health information and counteract misinformation. 
  • Enhance accessibility to professional mental health services: Support initiatives that bridge the gap between online education and access to mental health professionals. 
  • Promote responsible platform design: Social media platforms should continue to design features that prioritize user safety, direct users to reliable resources, and mitigate the spread of harmful content. 
  • Invest in research on emerging mental health issues: Allocate resources to study under-recognized conditions highlighted through social media trends, informing diagnostic criteria and treatment approaches. 
  • Educate users on digital well-being: Develop campaigns to raise awareness about the benefits and risks of social media use, promoting digital literacy and mental health resilience.