How social media is affecting mental health?

 SOCIAL MEDIA AND MENTAL WELLBEING

With the aid of various social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, Snapchat, and others, we spend a lot of time on social media for pleasure, interacting with loved ones, and sharing our lives and interests. Millions of people worldwide have come to love and appreciate this technology above all others. People now spend the majority of their time on social media, making it the most significant aspect of their lives. Social media has advantages and disadvantages that have an impact on people's lives in both positive and negative.

SOCIAL MEDIA BENEFITS

Social media sites can give kids great chances to improve their digital footprint and acquire digital literacy skills, even with the risks involved. Check out the additional advantages it provides to ensure they get the most out of social media.

• increase global awareness and connectivity
• hone your technical and communicative abilities
• Taking down barriers to create connections
• bolster connections
• A location to look for help

EXCESSIVE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AFFECTING METAL HELATH OF YOUTH.

Social media provides a platform for young people to interact with others and express themselves. More than half of all young people claim that having an online presence has improved their friendships. However, it can also be an area that encourages contrast. Young individuals are especially susceptible to pressure to live a specific way or appear a certain way because they are still forming their sense of self and identity. Cyberbullying is something that some young people encounter as well; those who have a probable mental illness are twice as likely to report experiencing cyberbullying.

Social media is inherently reinforcing. By producing dopamine, a "feel-good chemical" connected to enjoyable activities like sex, food, and social connection, using it triggers the brain's reward region. The platforms are linked to bodily illnesses, anxiety, and sadness, and they are made to be addictive.

In the United States, 81% of teenagers and 69% of adults use social media, according to the Pew Research Center. Because of this, a sizable portion of the populace is more likely to experience anxiety, depression, or illness as a result of using social media.

Psychological issues with International students.

Psychological issues with International students.

Many kids experience pressure to perform well academically, and the worry of failing or disappointing family members can contribute to high levels of stress and poor mental health. In Nepal, where I am originally from, mental health is disregarded, no one talks about it, and nobody cares. However, since moving here, I've come to understand that talking about mental health is crucial, especially for overseas students. 

I want to share my experience as an international student after moving to the UK to pursue my studies. When you go to a new nation and are absolutely ignorant about the people, culture, way of life, and other aspects of the country, your first day there can be both joyous and surreal because you've made it thus far. However, the true struggle has just begun, and after thinking about what to do next, you start to overthink things and become panicked. My mind was racing with a ton of questions, including the following:

• How am I going to make it without my family?

• How will everything fall into place now that I'm here by myself?

• Will it be easy for me to acquire a job, or will it be much harder?

• Can I manage things on my own? Do I have adequate strength?

Before I arrived in the UK, all of these things were stuck. I've had a lot of challenges during the past approximately six months. I feel like I'm in a more secure position now and have somewhat calmed down. Since I'm not the type of person who enjoys interacting with others, it was quiet when I reached out to them and asked for assistance. I'm a really introverted person that can only discuss serious stuff with other individuals. It was difficult, but I'm glad I did it since it made me feel more safe and independent than I was before moving to the UK.

Hinduism and their mental consequences

Childhood, culture and Family.

 Talking about mental health might be difficult in the modern world. Everyone is coping with their own psychological trauma, but nobody really talks about this problem. I believe that most people are being forced into this predicament by their families. In terms of my own culture, I come from a Hindu one where children are subjected to pressure concerning their physical appearance, caste system, upbringing, and constraints from a very young age. We are cautioned not to transgress certain societal boundaries because we were born into a Hindu family. In my culture, society is primarily to blame for mental instability, which is an incredibly inappropriate practice.

I used to wonder why we are required to stand in line and worship stones yet we are taught from birth to visit temples and seek blessings. When I used to question how I could believe in and worship someone I had never met in person, I was labeled as an atheist. Hinduism is a religion that has maintained religious practice for a very long time. Each religion has its own set of Gods that are worshipped. Although I have my own way of believing and don't feel the need to visit temples or worship stones, I do believe in the power that the world possesses. God will guide you on the proper path when your soul is pure. 

In contrast to the UK, where people keep to themselves, society is more involved in your life in our culture. Even if your life is going well, people will still have something negative to say; we cannot force people to be happy. People will make pointless remarks, which will make you feel under pressure to doubt your existence. My mind has been under a lot of strain in the past regarding my studies, body type, skin tone, marriage, etc. Being a human, I experience sadness, discouragement, and used to sob silently in the dark. But I stand tall from all the judgments and here I am today being fearless and most importantly in a happy place.

Mental Health

 When you hear this word "MENTAL HEALTH" what really comes in your mind?

A person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being.

Mental health can be defined as many ways and every person is being affected by this directly or indirectly. There are four types of Mental Health and they are:- 

mood disorders (such as depression or bipolar disorder) anxiety disorders. personality disorders. psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia)

What are the symptoms of mental illness?

Each type of mental illness has a different set of symptoms. For example, extreme dieting may be a sign that someone has an eating disorder. Hearing voices could be a sign of psychosis. An ongoing feeling of hopelessness after childbirth could be a sign of postnatal depression. People with depression can have a lasting sadness or low mood. People with anxiety often have excessive worry or fears. Sometimes feelings of anxiety happen without any apparent reason.

Drastic changes in a person’s thoughts, moods or behaviour can be a sign they have a mental illness. Changes can be sudden or come on gradually over a long period. A person who usually copes well with life may start to have trouble doing their normal activities. These changes can cause them, or their loved ones, distress. These signs could indicate a mental illness.

Here are some signs of mental illness to look out for:

• unusual or illogical thoughts
• unreasonable anger or irritability
• poor concentration and memory, not being able to follow a conversation
• hearing voices that no one else can hear
• increased or decreased sleep
• increased or low appetite, or preoccupation with control over food, calories or excessive exercise
• lack of motivation
• withdrawing from people
• drug use
• feelings that life is not worth living or suicidal thoughts
• becoming obsessed with a topic, like death or religion
• not looking after personal hygiene or other responsibilities
• not doing as well as usual at school or work.