Thanks to social media and the ever-growing technology we have easy access to, it’s common to see topics become viral in a matter of a few minutes. While social media is a great way to raise awareness of issues and spread information, we have seen social issues come in and out of “trend.” What I mean by this is that when an issue is new and prevalent, people will spam their Instagram and Snapchat stories with information, but in just a few days, everyone forgets about it. This is dangerous because it doesn’t help raise real awareness and views social issues as a trend rather than a reality.
September is suicide prevention month. During this time, it is common to see posts about mental health and resources on everyone’s stories. However as the month approaches an end, people move on to the next thing. This puts us at risk of “performative activism,” (when people pretend to be activists about certain topics while they trend but never actually do anything helpful towards a solution).
So, how can you continue to raise awareness about mental health after it is no longer a trend to do so?
First and foremost, check in on your loved ones. We can preach resources and support, but it is of little meaning if you don’t actively encourage your friends to talk about their mental health. Simple questions like “how are you doing mentally?” or “I noticed you’ve been stressed recently, how can I help?” can make a big difference.
Second, don’t be afraid to talk about suicide. Avoiding the topic of the word can add to the stigma. While you should be using trigger warnings, it is still important to talk about mental illnesses the same way we do about physical illnesses.
Finally, continue to spread kindness in the world. Often people that are struggling feel alone, and the smallest act of kindness from a stranger can show them a reminder there is good in the world.
Everyone deals with mental health, it is not just for those who are struggling. Be kind, post resources and help end the stigma.