Mental Health in the Digital Realm

In the time of a global health crisis, when we are asked to close our doors and forced into isolation, we are left feeling deeply uncomfortable and disconnected. We have no option but to sit, stew and stir in our thoughts and emotions. The one thing that is keeping us sane, helping us feel connected and cared for and allowing us to move through the day, is the digital world. The online space is increasingly being recognized as a platform to encourage conversations around mental health. Whether it is noticing symptoms, exploring ways to cope or validating a person’s experience, it has transformed into a tool to champion the cause of caring for one’s well-being.  However, this is not a recent phenomenon. Since globalization, the development of the internet has transformed the way we access and share information, express ourselves and interact with others. We are witness to mental health emerging in the digital space. Therapists and researchers are moving beyond office walls to disseminate information. Similarly, supporters of mental health have found space for advocacy; people are able to talk about their experience of therapeutic interventions, and most importantly, individuals have discovered a place to communicate their struggles, have their voices heard and feel connected to and supported by others.  Finding a Voice Online Traditionally speaking, the public space has been a gendered (‘male’), highly politicized domain, while minorities have been identified in the ...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Friends Minding the Media Racism Relationships Stigma Technology LGBTQ Media Platforms social media Source Type: blogs