Role of Technology and Social Media in Mental Health

Mental health is a crucial aspect of one’s overall wellbeing, and its neglect can result in severe consequences. Despite this, mental health often goes unnoticed and unaddressed in many cases. This is era of technology. We cannot think life without technology i.e. cell phone, smart phone and laptop, Bluetooth etc. we can do everything on cell phone like shopping, watching movie, listening song, talking to friends and relatives, buying tickets of train, airplane etc, interacting with people on social media by Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, Twitter, WhatsApp. Social media and text messaging have become an integral part of how individuals interact with their social groups. Technologies have both positive and negative consequences on our mental health. With the use of new technology, mental health professionals can provide effective, accessible, and personalized treatment options to patients, irrespective of their location, social status, or financial standing. Through technology people can access to mental health services, particularly for people who live in remote or underserved areas. Tele-therapy involves providing mental health services remotely via videoconferencing or phone. There are some mental health apps such as Talkspace, Improving thinking skill app, Self-management app, Skill training app DotCom Therapy etc. that help people with thinking and memory skills and help connect people to health care professional or counselor. On the other hand, increased use of technology can have a potentially detrimental mental health impact on people in area of reduced social skills, increased cyber bullying, and isolation, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances and obesity. Many studies have observed that more time spent on social media sites i.e. Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Facebook, are associated with an increased risk of loneliness and depression. When people spend more time on social media and video games, they become isolated, depressed and more aggressive. In conclusion it can be said that use of technology affects our mental health both positively and negatively.