After having been in the social media space for several years, I’ve gotten to know a lot of great mental health advocates, and many of the most active ones come from the incredibly important perspective of having personal life experience with mental illness. I’ve also featured dozens of these first-person voices through my “Stories of Hope” series.
In contrast, it sometimes seems like there aren’t as many active advocates on social media who are mental health professionals. These would include psychologists, psychiatrists, substance use counselors, marriage and family therapists, licensed professional counselors, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and other similar fields.
I strongly believe more mental health professionals should get involved with social media, through blogging, social networks, podcasts, videos and the like.
So I came up with 10 great reasons why mental health professionals should have a social media platform. If you’re a mental health professional, I’m talking directly to you. If you’re not a mental health professional, perhaps you know one who you think would be a great influencer on social media, so please share this with them.
1) Immediacy
Many mental health professionals go through a lengthy publication process to present their work in books or through professional journals. With social media, you’re the writer, editor and publisher, and your content is instantly available to your audience. You can literally write something and publish it the same day, with no editorial reviews or delays.
2) Reach
Some of the most prestigious professional mental health journals may only have a few thousand subscribers. Similarly, professional books written by mental health experts are not often runaway bestsellers. With social media, you can quickly reach thousands, or even millions of people with your message. For example, one of my tweets was acknowledged by a celebrity in a response that went out to over 2 million people!
3) Ease and affordability
Social media channels are easy to use and often incur little to no cost. Yes, there is a bit of a learning curve to figure out the technology behind blogging, social media networks, podcasts and such. But it’s certainly something you can master in a fairly brief period of time.
4) Public education
One of the major strengths that mental health professionals bring to the table is their science-based training and experience. The information they share to educate the public and policy makers about mental health issues is often based on current research and conveys information about proven, cutting edge treatments and program innovations.
5) Networking
One of the best things about social media is it’s, well….social. You can meet many like-minded people with similar interests and ideals that you might never meet otherwise. Mental health professionals can meet other professionals and consumers with lived mental health experience, from all over the world. From these connections, many new and exciting opportunities for collaboration can arise. Also, you can support other worthwhile causes developed by advocates and mental health-focused organizations.
6) The “pro bono” clause
Many mental health professionals’ ethics codes state an expectation that the professional will provide some services for which they will receive little or no compensation or personal advantage. What better way to fulfill this ideal than to share free knowledge and information about mental health via social media to benefit the public?
7) Practice promotion
Mental health professionals do have to make a living. So they can also use social media to promote their practices, inform potential customers about their therapeutic services and to advertise upcoming programs or products (such as videos, books, online courses, etc.).
8) There is great need
Many people still don’t seek mental health treatment due to fear, shame and anxiety. Others want treatment but can’t afford it or access it. Growing numbers are dying each year by suicide. As a mental health professional, your voice through social media can help reduce barriers to care and assist more people to obtain the care they need.
9) Your voice is important
Some mental health professionals I’ve spoken with say they don’t think they would have anything meaningful to contribute via social media. Of course you do! Your unique skills and knowledge bring a perspective that is sorely needed. Just talk about what you know and people will be interested to hear what you have to say.
10) Advocacy
I believe it all comes back to advocacy. For the reasons listed above and many more, social media is a great tool for advocacy by mental health professionals. Educate, inform, and inspire through your messages. You can help many others in ways you may have never imagined. Jump into social media and give it a try.
Here’s a question: What are some other benefits from mental health professionals’ participation in social media? Please leave a comment. Also, please subscribe to my blog and feel free to follow me on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram, “like” my Facebook page, or connect on LinkedIn. Finally, if you enjoyed this post, please share it with a friend. Thanks!