By Lindsay Caldwell, Resident in Counseling
Being social is a part of everyday life. If you consider yourself to be an introvert, you might not always look forward to socializing and may find it draining. However, social connectedness is a large part of keeping ourselves healthy, both mentally and physically. Getting our social needs met improves our ability to recover from stress, anxiety, and depression. The best way to get those needs met is through face-to-face interactions that foster emotional connection with other humans. This can promote heathy eating, physical activity, and weight. It can also improve sleep, well-being, and quality of life. These in turn, improve self-esteem, increase levels of empathy, and create more trusting relationships.
On the other end of the spectrum, social media is not the same as social connection. While it’s possible to cultivate friendships online, the internet and social media do not provide the optimal conditions for social connectedness. Social media use has become increasingly harmful, especially when it’s not regulated. Studies have shown that increased use of social media is linked to higher rates of depression and suicide, particularly among the age ranges of 10 to 24. To learn more about social media and its effects on mental health, please watch this video provided by the Social Media Victims Law Center. Link: socialmediavictims.org/mental-health/suicide/. This guide is helpful for anyone who wants to increase their mental health and suicide prevention awareness, but it’s specifically useful for parents, as it lays out practical actions and boundaries to minimize risks for children and teenagers.
As counselors, we’re concerned about the impact of social media use on depression and suicide rates and we want to do something to address this problem. Counseling Connect, PLLC is proud to announce that we are developing a therapeutic group called We Are Hope. This program will provide a safe and empathetic place for participants to share their struggles and learn ways to overcome depression and suicidal thoughts. To raise money and awareness for suicide prevention, we are holding a fundraiser and showcase to celebrate the many things that make life worth living. This event will be held on October 28th, 2023 at Nesselrod on the New. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
If you’re dealing with depression or thinking about suicide, know that there is help. If you ever have a mental crisis, call 988. If you’re interested in participating in our We Are Hopegroup, contact Lindsay Caldwell at lindsay@counseling-connect.com. You can also book an appointment for individual counseling here: https://counselingconnect.clientsecure.me/