How Instagram is helping in spreading Mental Health Awareness.

'Mental Health', isn’t this the most undervalued or unexplored issue in our society? Do we really understand what mental health is and how it affects society? Do we realize that depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety are not synonymous? The majority of us don't know or don't care. There is only one cause for this: a lack of mental health awareness. Several non-profit organizations, social media pages, government and international hotline lines for mental health are emerging to address this need. Instagram, a social media platform with about 1.2 billion monthly active users (MAU), is slowly but gradually gaining momentum as one of them.

In May 2021, Instagram and the American Psychological Association (APA) partnered on a powerful effort to assist increase awareness on social media in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. The #RealConvo Campaign, which is co-sponsored by Instagram and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), a suicide prevention organization, encourages people to use the hashtag to share their own personal mental health experiences and open up about their struggles. The AFSP Instagram account launched the campaign in May, which is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month, enlisting the help of nine people who are defying the assumption that Instagram is just for sharing joyful moments, filtered images and seemingly happy life.

October ‘16, Instagram announced one of the most useful features, the self-injury reporting system. You may report someone's photo to an Instagram staff member if you notice someone who appears to be self-harming or in need of support. The team member will contact the individual you're worried about and delete any photographs from the app that might provoke self-harming. Furthermore, Instagram also targets users who look for posts and hashtags related to self-harm, suicide, cutting, etc. These individuals are also directed at supporting services. The dissemination of useful positive hashtags is a fantastic way of raising awareness on mental health. It can also give motivational messages to Instagram users who are currently struggling.

Instagram operates on several non-profit initiatives and groups. Below are some of the greatest examples of Instagram mental health and welfare accounts.

1. The Trevor Project - The Trevor project focuses on LGBTQ young people's suicide prevention and provides lifelines. The Trevor Project also provides information for LGBTQ kids families and friends.

2. Emotions Therapy - It was started by a mental health advocate and covers topics such as anxiety, OCD, anorexia, depression, and recovery. This website is a fantastic resource for learning and discussion since it comes from the perspective of someone who has experienced many of these difficulties first-hand. The vibrant graphics add to the page's unique perspective. The page includes infographics that distinguish bipolar from borderline, as well as links to self-help resources and a reminder of what's really essential.

3. So You Want To Talk About - This page recognizes that talking is sometimes the best therapy. They address social, political, and economic concerns that plague the Internet generation. Rather than advancing a hidden agenda, this website just encourages genuine discussion on subjects such as sexual liberation, protesting, and more.

4. The Just Girl Project - This page is all about staying inspired and being yourself. Their inclusive messaging is given an edge by the entertaining visuals. It sells adorable products like masks and sweatshirts, as well as messages like lady strength and optimism. The Just Girl Project also offers tips on how to get a good night's sleep, deal with stress, and say no in a better way.

There are many more pages that help not only to steady your mental health, but also aid to make your life productive and joyful. Instagram keeps on running campaigns on mental health awareness. Instagram's positive hashtags, photos, and videos might help you detox. Instagram reels are now being used to raise mental health awareness. As Instagram is being used to discuss a wide range of health-related subjects, sooner or later, it will have the potential to prohibit suicides, self-harm, and a variety of other mental illnesses to the fullest.