TikTok is launching a mental health awareness hub to help users connect with advocacy and support organizations before a possible U.S. ban. Users must visit the #MentalHealthAwareness hashtag page and tap the description link to access the new hub.
The hub will feature new educational films, mental health and wellness creators, and mental health awareness organizations throughout May.
TikTok is donating over $2 million in ad credits to mental health organizations like the Alliance for Eating Disorders, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Crisis Text Line, Made of Millions, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Eating Disorders Association, and Peer Health Exchange.
TikTok will also offer training sessions to help its partners share information with their communities around important times like World Mental Health Day in October or back-to-school season.
“Through continued collaboration with mental health organizations, content creators, and our TikTok community, we continue to raise awareness and foster a space where everyone can feel heard and supported — during #MentalHealthAwareness Month and beyond,” TikTok wrote in a blog post. We believe everyone deserves mental health resources and help, and we are committed to learning, evolving, and making a difference.”
@asoulcalledjoel, @dr.kojosarfo, @elainaefird, @elysemyers, @joelbervell, @lindsay.fleminglpc, @nutritionbykylie, @thepsychodoctormd, @therapyjeff, and @victoriabrowne will also be featured on TikTok for raising mental health awareness.
TikTok has been criticized for its impact on children for years. Social media leaders, including TikTok, have faced congressional concerns about how their services harm young users for over a year. Experts worry that TikTok could worsen the mental health issue among U.S. youth.
TikTok’s new mental health awareness activities follow the American Psychological Association (APA) ‘s first social media health advice last week, which addressed concerns about how adult social networks can harm teenagers.
The APA’s advice focuses on parents but also condemns algorithms that steer children toward harmful content like self-harm, disordered eating, racism, and online hate. In addition, the APA advises parents to stay watchful to prevent social media from disrupting sleep and physical exercise, directly and seriously affecting kids’ mental health.
