Social media is
notorious for causing concerns around mental health. A lot of this is centred
around a rise in the media publicity of youth suicides as a direct result of
relentless, online bullying and trolling.
When I was around 15, I began being bullied at school and
within days, it followed me home via MSN messenger (those good ol’ days!) and I
began receiving spiteful messages under a ‘friends’ account. When I asked who
it was: “your worst nightmare.” The bullying didn’t last long once I told my
Mum about it and she reported it to the senior teachers at school.
Since then, the only negative comments I’ve had online had
been through my blog - http://www.imnotdisordered.co.uk/2014/11/a-gentle-warning.html
HOW TO PROTECT
YOUR MENTAL HEALTH ONLINE:
ONE – ignore the
digs
Being a blogger, I’m passionate about promoting the
positives of the internet and the sad fact we have to face is that as soon as
you set up a social media profile – or even use the internet in anyway – you’re
vulnerable. It’s that simple. And that sad. Unfortunately, some of this
vulnerability that I talk about, is to trolling and just downright bullying. The
greatest way to coping with any of this negativity is in ignoring it, which sounds
easier than possible – believe me, I know that! You need to remember that
everyone is getting it! Even those who might seem the most popular on social
media – even they(!) – get negative comments.
TWO – don’t
pretend you’re something you’re not
This is something so incredibly important – even just as a
rule in life! Pretending to be someone else, acting like someone else,
pretending to care about different things… You should always be true to
yourself. Doing anything different, just opens you up to more criticisms and
negativity that you actually can’t defend because you were pretending to be
something you are not.
THREE – don’t
hide behind the keyboard
When I wrote this, I thought about two elements in this one
piece of advice: the first is to avoid spreading negativity because you have the anonymity of the keyboard - it’s cowardly, and unfair. Secondly, avoid using your keyboard/the internet as your only means of support for your mental health, and as the only way that you’re willing to ask for help. Whilst it’s important that you are receiving help and support, it might never be as affective as it would should you be talking to a professional who can build up notes and therefore assess your needs and risk better, subsequently allowing them to offer better care.
WHAT TO DO IF THE
INTERNET NEGATIVELY AFFECTS YOUR MENTAL HEALTH:
ONE – use # chats
There are a number of hash tagged chats on Twitter at the
moment that are mental health oriented. One of my favourites is #BPDChat – one that
takes place every Sunday at 9pm, lasting for one hour and with all Twitter
users welcome! Obviously, those with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), or
who care for someone who does, would be better placed in understanding and
being a part of the chat. (For more info on #BPDChat; you can check out their
Twitter profile here: https://twitter.com/OfficialBPDChat)
TWO – find your
peers
Another way to feel less alone online. It’s incredibly easy
to find people who you may have something in common with on social media by
using a simple hashtag. For example, I tend to use #mhblogger
and in typing that in the search bar you’ll find others who have also used this
hashtag. Others who this applies to. Others with something in common with
yourself. You could also use chat forums on various sites like: http://www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/supportforum
THREE – blog it
out
Ok, so some might say I’m biased because I have successful
mental health blog but I will never stop promoting blogging as a release for
negative emotions and unsafe thoughts and feelings. I think that there’s still
a few people out there that don’t realise that a blog doesn’t have to be
available for thousands of strangers across the world to read! In fact, I’m NOT
Disordered started as being a document of my journey through trauma therapy and
if anyone but myself was going to read it then it would have been the staff in
the psychiatric hospitals for those many times when writing was easier than
talking.