The natural conclusion is that different people are likely to be affected differently by their online experiences, and the same person may be affected differently on different occasions. This Janus-faced nature of social media is well outlined in a report by Barnardo's about young people, social media and mental health – Left to Their Own Devices. In the latter view, the social or networking function creates opportunity for reducing the sense of disconnection or lack of belonging, and the sharing of detail allows some alleviation of the burdensomeness of feeling uniquely troubled (these and other ideas about risk of suicide are discussed by Joiner Reference Joiner5). In the former view, risk of suicide is increased by the mood-lowering effect of the content and by a sort of creeping familiarity with the idea of self-harm or suicide – called sometimes desensitisation or normalisation – and greater awareness of the methods involved. More positive accounts from young people suggest that social media can also offer a space where you can come out of hiding, share otherwise secret fears with peers, and gain an element of support and advice. Reference Daine, Hawton, Singaravelu, Stewart, Simkin and Montgomery1, Reference Marchant, Hawton, Stewart, Montgomery, Singaravelu and Lloyd2 Negative accounts have been emphasised in mainstream media, Reference Topping3 with social media presented as places where you are drawn into an immersive atmosphere of depressive messages and images that act as enticement to self-harm and suicide.
There are, broadly speaking, positive and negative accounts of how people with mental health problems, and especially those with a history of self-harm, experience social media.
0 kommentar(er)
