Department of Politics and International Relations
Anna Bailie
Research
Title of Research:
A Politics of Isolation and Empowerment: Young People's Mental Health on Social Media.
Brief overview of research topic:
Mental health on social media is an isolating and empowering experience that offers information and knowledge but establishes norms and ideas. It can be utilised by young people in positive and negative ways. Ultimately, it is extremely powerful in reinforcing ideas of individualism, capitalistic investment and social norms of mental health. Essentially, there are people who challenge this and encourage social media to be a place where experiences can be shared, learned from and community can form. Social media platforms have become central in shaping contemporary discourse on mental health. They offer a complex landscape where individuals can engage in conversations about their mental well-being, providing a platform for the exchange of information, experiences, and support. However, this environment is far from monolithic; it presents a duality where mental health content and discussions online can be both isolating and empowering. In these analytical chapters, I will explore how social media's influence on mental health extends beyond mere communication, affecting the establishment of norms, and ideas, and reinforcing concepts such as individualism, capitalistic investment, and societal norms. Crucially, how the platforms are utilised by community activists who challenge society’s structures that impact mental health.
Instagram @mentalhealthpolitics
