00:01Have you seen videos like this on your timeline?
00:04From ADHD to anxiety and depression, social media is flooded with mental health advice.
00:10The problem? A lot of it just isn't true.
00:13Still, many turn to TikTok, Insta and YouTube for help.
00:17So, how can you tell what's real and what's not? Let's break it down.
00:21A recent investigation by British newspaper The Guardian looked at 100 TikToks with the hashtag MentalHealthTips.
00:28They showed them to experts, like psychologists and academics.
00:32Over half were found to contain misinformation. Many more were misleading.
00:37And it's not just TikTok.
00:38A review of dozens of studies found that misinformation on mental health is widespread on all social media platforms.
00:45Experts even described this as part of a rampant public health crisis.
00:49Okay, so what do you need to watch out for?
00:53Some creators misuse psychological terms, like using anxiety and depression, as if they meant the same thing.
01:01They don't.
01:02This creates confusion about what a mental illness really is.
01:05Quick self-diagnosis is another red flag.
01:08Having a few symptoms means you have a disorder? Not really.
01:12Mental health is complex.
01:14Often, it's a spectrum of symptoms that point towards different disorders.
01:18Also, some videos label everyday feelings as disorders.
01:22Things get oversimplified, which can make real mental health issues seem less serious.
01:27Lastly, there's lots of sketchy treatment advice.
01:31Supplements, oils, life hacks.
01:34At best, they don't help.
01:35At worst, they interfere with real medical treatment.
01:38But why are those videos even popular?
01:41Well, it comes down to one basic social media principle.
01:46Platforms try to keep you hooked for as long as possible.
01:49So, algorithms boost emotional, catchy videos, even if they're not accurate.
01:54Creators often mix advice with personal stories.
01:57This makes it engaging and relatable.
02:00The tricky part?
02:01We trust the people we follow and subconsciously look for confirmation.
02:05If a video matches what we already suspect, we're more likely to believe it.
02:10So, what can you do to protect yourself?
02:12First, cross-check the creator's credentials.
02:15Are they a licensed therapist?
02:17A doctor?
02:18Google them.
02:19Are they legit?
02:20Be careful with oversimplified advice.
02:23Mental health treatment isn't a one-size-fits-all.
02:26There are no quick fixes.
02:28Always cross-check the information with trusted sources like the WHO.
02:32Or better yet, ask your doctor.
02:34But shouldn't the platforms keep an eye on this as well?
02:38Some are trying.
02:39TikTok works with the WHO to combat health misinformation.
02:43YouTube also promises to strengthen their medical misinformation policy and remove harmful advice.
02:49Unfortunately, at X and Meta, there's little moderation nowadays.
02:54They're betting on community notes to flag misleading content.
02:58Bottom line, a lot of false information is still getting through.
03:03So, it's on us to stay sharp.
03:05Think before you trust and always double-check.
03:08That's it from me.
03:09Thanks for watching and take care of yourself.
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