World Mental Health Day, Instagram’s contribution

Posts, stories, reel but also live videos: content related to our mental health published on social media they are huge. Even more so in the last week given that the October 10th is celebrated World Mental Health Day, a vital opportunity to raise awareness and promote concrete actions regarding mental health problems on a global scale. Established by World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) in 1992 on the initiative of Richard Hunter, every year the day presents a reference theme to guide discussions and initiatives. For 2023, the chosen theme is Mental health for all: investing in prevention and treatmentwhich underlines the essentiality of ensuring equal access to healthcare services for everyone.

Italy has not remained indifferent to this global call. The Ministry of Health undertook several strategic initiatives immediately after the pandemic. These include the updating of National action plan for mental health (PANSM). This document aims to make mental health services accessible and integrated into the National Health Service (NHS). The PANSM also promotes territorial care, ensuring that individuals receive the necessary care within their communities and provides for the strengthening of the network of mental health services, to meet everyone’s needs.

With the patronage of the Ministry of Health, the Italian Society of Psychiatry and numerous other bodies and associations, events are organized in our country to raise public awareness and to promote an inclusive approach to mental health care. Among these the Plan psychoeducational, aimed at young people, on self-regulation of emotions to encourage conscious use and prevent problematic use of the internet: a further attempt to create interest in public opinion towards problematic behaviors linked to the use of the internet among middle school students (12-14 year olds).

In an era in which we are increasingly hyperconnected, including adults, isocial networks they can play a double role in the relationship with the mental health of each of us. They certainly can help people to stay in touch with friends and family, especially if they are far away. Can share experiences and receive support from others. Finally, they can be used for spread awareness as well as mental disorders. Contrarily, they are also the epicenter of social comparison, of cyberbullying and they can trigger a certain addiction with the consequent lack of concentration and sleep and even jeopardize the relationships themselves.

An awareness that Instagram programmers themselves have. That’s why, on the occasion of World Mental Health Day, Instagram has drawn up a list of tools dedicated to the mental health of adolescents, and beyond. The mission of Meta, the company that owns Instagram, is to ensure that each user feels comfortable during their experience on the platform. In response to this need, based on suggestions from experts, parents and teenagers, over 30 features aimed primarily at teenagers have been implemented.

Some of these features include the ability to hide offensive comments through a customized list, or to manage the visibility of I like on posts, highlighting the content rather than its popularity. Users can also personalize content suggested in the Explore section, excluding unwanted ones. For those who they don’t want to block other users directly, the function is available Restrictions, which makes the interactions of those who suffer it invisible. Another crucial aspect is security: Instagram allows you to report any inappropriate content, comments or accounts in confidence.

Users also have the freedom to block, silence or manage comments as they prefer. For those who want to track their time on the platform, it is possible set reminders to take breaks while you function Do not disturb helps you stay focused by turning off notifications at specific times. A strong point for parents is represented by the supervision toolsdesigned to integrate life online of teenagers with that offline. These tools allow you to monitor your teenager’s use of the platform, while respecting theirs privacy.

Supervision tools are accessible from both the app and the Center for families, the settings area where parents can see the accounts they supervise. The ultimate goal is facilitate constructive conversation among parents and adolescents regarding the conscious use of Meta apps. Finally, underlining the importance of guiding and training young people in the digital age, Meta launched Connected Parents. This campaign aims to raise awareness among adults of the challenges of teenagers’ online lives, providing tools and resources to get closer to them and better understand their digital experiences.