©2025 – Amy Morin, LCSW. All Rights Reserved
©2025 – Amy Morin, LCSW. All Rights Reserved
Mental health advice on social media can be downright dangerous. Research has shown that many of the tips and much of the advice on managing mental health just aren’t credible, even though they are popular.
So I decided to call out some of the most popular, yet awful advice I’ve seen being shared on social media lately. Here are 10 pieces of unhealthy mental health advice that are often shared by influencers.
“Don’t take responsibility for things that aren’t your fault.”
“Working out is a great way to build mental muscle. However, just because you work out a lot doesn’t automatically mean that you’re mentally strong.”
“The research shows if you just had one loving adult in your life, somebody who cared about you, then sometimes that’s all you need to learn what healthy love is.”
“The cure for loneliness is connection.”
“So don’t view quitting as failure.”
0:00:58 Discussion on the study revealing the prevalence of misleading mental health advice on TikTok.
0:02:31 Unhealthy social media message #1: Taking responsibility for everything is bad advice.
0:04:02 Unhealthy social media message #2: Being physically fit does not equate to mental strength.
0:05:29 Unhealthy social media message #3: You can love others even if you don’t love yourself.
0:06:33 Unhealthy social media message #4: Making happiness your ultimate goal can lead to misery.
0:07:30 Unhealthy social media message #5: Embracing loneliness does not lead to self-connection.
0:08:35 Unhealthy social media message #6: Self-doubt can actually help in performance.
0:09:31 Unhealthy social media message #7: Considering other people’s opinions can be valuable.
0:10:56 Unhealthy social media message #8: Social anxiety is not solely caused by surrounding oneself with the wrong people.
0:12:02 Unhealthy social media message #9: Quitting can be a wise decision, not a failure.
0:13:30 Unhealthy social media message #10: People can leave for various reasons, not just because they were using you.
0:14:03 Popular doesn’t mean helpful, accurate, or good.
0:14:33 Share the show to help others feel better and grow stronger.
0:15:05 Thank you to producer Nick Valentine.
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