Social media platforms have emerged as highly popular venues for sharing personal experiences, seeking information, and offering peer-to-peer support among individuals living with mental illness. With significant shortfalls in the availability, quality, and reach of evidence-based mental health services across most countries globally, popular social media platforms may afford new opportunities to bridge this gap. In this webinar, my goal is to present the state of the science on the role of social media as a potentially viable intervention platform for engaging persons with mental disorders, enhancing existing mental health services, and supporting community-based mental health providers.
First, I will summarise current research on the use of social media among mental health service users, as well as early efforts using social media for the delivery of evidence-based programs and mental health promotion efforts. Second, l consider the risks, challenges, and necessary safety precautions with using social media for mental health services. Third, I will present best practices and recommendations for supporting and informing mental health service providers and community members about the role of social media in mental health promotion and prevention in diverse settings. To conclude, I will highlight future research directions and opportunities for novel social media interventions to improve the lives of individuals living with mental disorders.