Latest news with #AmberJohnson
Jordan News
2 days ago
- Health
- Jordan News
Experts Warn: Over Half of Mental Health Content on TikTok Is Misleading - Jordan News
Experts Warn: Over Half of Mental Health Content on TikTok Is Misleading British experts have warned that more than half of the most popular videos on TikTok related to mental health promote misleading information, posing serious risks to users dealing with complex psychological conditions. اضافة اعلان A recent study conducted by The Guardian revealed that users turning to TikTok for instant relief and solutions to deal with trauma, depression, or anxiety may end up feeling worse after following inaccurate advice. Amber Johnson, a psychologist accredited by the British Psychological Society, told the newspaper: 'TikTok spreads misinformation by suggesting the existence of universal secret truths that can make viewers feel worse, as if they're failing—when, in reality, the advice is overly simplistic and ineffective.' She added: 'Each video wrongly suggests that everyone experiences PTSD the same way, with symptoms that can be easily explained in a 30-second clip.' The study analyzed the 100 most popular TikTok videos under the hashtag #mentalhealthtips, which were later reviewed by psychology professionals to assess their accuracy and potential harm. Experts classified 52 of these videos—offering advice on trauma, neurodivergence, anxiety, depression, and other serious disorders—as misleading. Many clips contained vague claims and lacked any real therapeutic value. The experts criticized the content for misusing clinical terminology, offering advice based on personal anecdotes, making sweeping generalizations, and downplaying the complexity of mental health disorders. They warned that such advice could distort public understanding of mental illness, and urged government regulators to enforce stricter safeguards against the spread of harmful misinformation. In response to the study, TikTok claimed to offer a platform for millions of users to express themselves and share their 'authentic' mental health journeys. A spokesperson for the company told The Guardian: 'There are clear limitations to the methodology of this study, which appears to oppose freedom of expression and implies that people shouldn't be allowed to share their personal stories.' — Al Arabiya
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Mental health myths go viral on social media: Experts warn of potential risks
It's not fun and content anymore. More than half of the most popular TikTok videos related to mental health spread misinformation, posing a significant risk to users who are struggling with complex conditions, British experts have warned. A recent study conducted by The Guardian revealed, those seeking instant relief and solutions for issues like trauma, depression, or anxiety may find themselves feeling more distressed after following flawed advice they had gotten from the widely popular social media platform. What's happening? The study examined the top 100 videos posted under the hashtag #mentalhealthtips on TikTok, which were then reviewed by psychological professionals for accuracy and potential harm. Researchers identified 52 videos that provided misleading mental health advice on topics such as trauma, neurodivergence, anxiety, and depression. Some clips offered vague, ineffective advice. What are the experts saying? Amber Johnson, a psychologist accredited by the British Psychological Society, told The Guardian, 'TikTok is perpetuating misinformation by implying there are universal tips and truths that may actually worsen a viewer's feelings, making them feel like a failure when these suggestions don't provide an easy cure.' She added, 'Each video tends to suggest that everyone experiences PTSD in the same way, with similar symptoms that can be adequately explained in a 30-second clip. ' Dan Poulter, a psychiatrist with the National Health Service, stated, 'This misinformation can mislead impressionable audiences and trivialize the life experiences of individuals living with serious mental illness.' Experts criticized these videos for misusing therapeutic language, relying on personal anecdotes, and making sweeping generalizations that overlook the complexities of various mental health conditions. The experts cautioned that such dangerous tips could distort public perception of mental illness and urged government officials to implement stronger safeguards against the spread of harmful misinformation. David Okai, a psychological medical researcher at King's College London, mentioned, 'Short, attention-grabbing soundbites can sometimes overshadow the more nuanced realities of qualified therapeutic work. ' What does TikTok say about it? In response to these findings, TikTok defended its platform, emphasizing that it provides a space for millions to express themselves and share their 'authentic' mental health journeys. A spokesperson for the platform stated, 'There are clear limitations to the methodology of this study, which opposes free expression and implies that people should not be allowed to share their own stories. We actively collaborate with health experts from the World Health Organization and the NHS to promote reliable information and remove 98% of harmful misinformation before it is reported to us. ' While TikTok can offer insights and connect individuals seeking mental health information, it's generally not advisable to rely on it for professional advice, especially regarding mental health. It's crucial to approach TikTok mental health content with a critical eye and consult with qualified professionals for accurate diagnosis and treatment. The popular app is currently facing several lawsuits in the US, accusing it of harming children's mental health through addictive features and dangerous content, which have contributed to rising rates of depression and anxiety. Weekly Health News (May 20-26) One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
New York Post
3 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Popular mental health videos on TikTok spread misinformation and pose a great risk, experts warned
More than half of the most popular TikTok videos about mental health peddle misinformation and pose a significant risk to users struggling with complex conditions, British experts warned. Users turning to the social media platform for instant relief and solutions to treat their trauma, depression or anxiety may end up feeling more distressed after taking the flawed advice, a recent study conducted by The Guardian revealed. 'TikTok is spreading misinformation by suggesting that there are secret universal tips and truths that may actually make a viewer feel even worse, like a failure, when these tips don't simply cure,' Amber Johnson, a British Psychological Society-accredited psychologist, told the outlet. 3 Videos on the platform may cause struggling users to feel even more distressed, a study conducted by The Guardian found. AFP via Getty Images Advertisement 'Each video is guilty of suggesting that everyone has the same experience of PTSD with similar symptoms that can easily be explained in a 30-second reel.' The study examined the top 100 videos posted under #mentalhealthtips on the platform, which were then reviewed by psychological professionals for accuracy and potential harm. Experts flagged 52 videos offering mental health advice on trauma, neurodivergence, anxiety, depression, and other serious disorders as misleading – with some clips dishing out vague and hollow fluff. Advertisement 'This is providing misinformation to impressionable people and can also trivialize the life experiences of people living with serious mental illness,' Dan Poulter, a National Health Service psychiatrist, said. 3 Experts cautioned that the dangerous tips could warp the public's understanding of mental illness. Natalia – Experts criticized the content for misusing therapeutic language, offering counsel rooted in personal experience, and making sweeping generalizations while also minimizing the complexities of certain mental health conditions, the outlet reported. They cautioned that the dangerous tips could warp the public's understanding of mental illness and urged government officials to implement stronger safeguards against the spread of harmful misinformation. Advertisement 'Short-form, attention-grabbing soundbites can sometimes overshadow the more nuanced realities of qualified therapeutic work,' said David Okai, a psychological medical researcher at King's College London. 3 Experts criticized the content for misusing therapeutic language and offering counsel rooted in personal experience. Andrii Yalanskyi – In response to the outlet's findings, TikTok boasted the platform for providing a space where millions of people can express themselves and share their 'authentic' mental health journeys. 'There are clear limitations to the methodology of this study, which opposes free expression and suggests that people should not be allowed to share their own stores,' a spokesperson told The Guardian. Advertisement 'We proactively work with health experts at the World Health Organization and NHS to promote reliable information on our platform and remove 98% of harmful misinformation before it's reported to us.' The popular app is currently facing several lawsuits in the US accusing it of harming children's mental health with addictive features and dangerous content and causing high rates of depression and anxiety.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
This Cumberland County student wants to end limited access to menstrual products. Period.
One in five girls in the U.S. has missed school because of a lack of menstrual products, according to research by a Gray's Creek High School student. The student, senior Amber Johnson, wants to change the stats. Johnson, who's been in Girl Scouts for 15 years, has made tackling period poverty part of her Girl Scout's Gold Award Project, which is the highest award a scout can receive. According to the National Institutes of Health's National Library of Medicine, period poverty is 'the lack of access to safe and hygienic menstrual products during monthly periods and inaccessibility to basic sanitation services or facilities as well as menstrual hygiene education.' 'It's a lot more common than people think,' Johnson said during an interview at her school last week. 'People that could be walking next to you every day in the hallway can just be going through it … What I learned through my research, they use things such as socks or balled up tissues or even rags to kind of accommodate that need for having menstrual products.' Using the same menstrual product for too long 'increases the risk of infections such as urinary tract infection and bacterial vaginosis,' according to the National Library of Medicine. Johnson said she first became aware of the issue when she noticed girls at her school didn't always have menstrual products when needed. Research she found through the Period Power Coalition states that one in four students experience period poverty in North Carolina, and one in three low-income women report missing work, school and other commitments due to not having period supplies. The Period Power Coalition is a statewide group of organizations formed to address the issues of menstrual equity and period poverty in North Carolina and has provided period supplies to more than 350 schools, supporting more than 15,000 students monthly. According to the National Organization of Women, the average person spends $20 on hygiene products per menstrual cycle. North Carolina is also one of 20 states that adds a tax to the cost. Last summer, Johnson said, she went to Raleigh for Advocacy Day to talk to legislators about the amount of funding that goes into the school system for menstrual products She learned a grant is in place, but Cumberland County didn't apply for it. In January, she asked the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners to consider funding to provide menstrual products at no cost in Cumberland County schools. Officials are researching the grant funding, as they are in the early stages of budget planning for the next fiscal year. The school system provides supplies in the nurse's office, but when they run out, social workers or teachers spend their own money, said Gray's Creek High School assistant principal Melanie Myrtle. Calling her Girl Scout initiative, Project Freedom: Empowering Period Dignity, Johnson wants to establish closets for free access to menstrual products in more accessible areas in schools. She organized a collection drive last weekend at Lewis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church and selected seven Cumberland County schools as the recipients. 'I feel like every school should be included, but just for the sake of my project, I chose seven based off some surveys that I took and talking with some of the social workers at the different schools,' she said. Along with collecting products, Johnson wants to normalize discussions about menstruation and host workshops to educate students, staff and the community about menstrual health while promoting dignity, self-care and hygiene practices. 'I definitely think that education when it comes to the reproductive system is very important, and that will also eliminate the stigmas that come with period poverty,' she said. 'I feel like the more that people are educated, the more that we can get resources, and students will actually get what they need.' While the deadline for Johnson's Girl Scout Gold Award project is the end of March, and she graduates in the spring, she said she wants the initiative to continue. 'I'll pass it off to one of the organizations I'm part of at school so they can contribute to the closet as well as working with other schools,' she said. Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@ or 910-486-3528. This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Cumberland County senior aims to stop period poverty locally
