Mental Health Awareness Month: How Social Media Is Impacting Our Minds
We’re not here to diagnose. We’re here to say what’s happening out loud.
Something is unraveling—and not just quietly. From celebrities spiraling online to influencers melting down mid-Instagram Live, to everyday people posting rants that read more like cries for help, we’re watching the real-time unraveling of mental health—and we’re doing it with a front-row seat and a comment section.
Social media was never meant to carry the weight of our emotions, but here we are, uploading trauma by the thread, turning timelines into therapy sessions, and mistaking virality for validation. It’s no longer just about oversharing—it’s about breaking down in public with nowhere soft to land.
And it’s not just influencers. It’s creators trying to keep up, educators trying to teach through noise, and entrepreneurs trying to be everything for everyone. Even the silent scrollers—the ones who never post—are absorbing it. Because real people are sharing real things. And the algorithm doesn’t care whether the next reel you see reminds you of your ex, your grief, your mother, or your meltdown.
Our feeds are triggering, our minds are tired, and our boundaries are paper-thin.
Mental Health Awareness Month should not be another trend—it should be a turning point. A time to pause and ask: am I okay? Am I performing or am I present? Have I mistaken engagement for connection?
This month, we challenge you to get offline before you get unwell. Not because it’s trendy, but because your peace is worth protecting—even when no one is watching.
Mental Health Resources:
Crisis Support (24/7, Free & Confidential)
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for immediate help from trained counselors.
• Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor via text.
https://www.crisistextline.org
• NAMI HelpLine
Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) for peer-led support and mental health guidance.
https://www.nami.org/support-education/nami-helpline/
Peer Support & Community Spaces
• 7 Cups
Free 24/7 emotional support from trained volunteer listeners. Also offers affordable therapy options.
• DailyStrength
Online support groups for anxiety, depression, grief, and more.
• Brave Health
Offers over 40 online group therapy sessions covering topics like anxiety, grief, and stress.
https://bebravehealth.com/mental-health-programs/online-group-therapy/
Affordable Online Therapy
• Open Path Collective
Access therapy sessions for $30–$70 with a one-time $65 membership fee.
https://openpathcollective.org
• Talkspace
Online therapy with licensed professionals, accepting various insurance plans.
• CalHOPE (California residents)
Free mental health support and resources for Californians.
Identity-Affirming Support
• Anxiety Is Watching Me
A mental health resource hub created by artist Doechii, featuring tools for Black, LGBTQ+, and youth communities.
https://www.anxietyiswatchingme.com
• NAMI Identity & Cultural Resources
Provides mental health resources tailored to various communities.
https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions
Apps for Mindfulness & Daily Wellness
• Headspace
Meditation and mindfulness app; free for healthcare professionals.
• Calm
Offers sleep stories, meditation, and relaxation techniques.
• Shine
Daily self-care and mental health support, especially for people of color.
