Viral post attributes mental health conditions to poor gut health
Reddit users respond to a new study showing a link between COVID-19 and mental health conditions.
On Reddit, teachers ask what’s driving an uptick in students’ anxiety.
This past week, media monitoring data showed that a post on X linking depression and schizophrenia to poor gut bacteria was driving conversation online. Some comments suggested that dietary changes are a more effective treatment than psychiatric medication. On Reddit, a teacher’s anecdote about his students’ anxiety sparked conversation about why so many students seem to be reporting these concerns and how teachers can help them cope.
These conversations provide an opportunity for communicators to clarify that dietary changes are not a substitute for psychiatric medication, offer anxiety management tips for students, and provide tools for teachers and caregivers who are helping young people with their mental health.
Insights brought to you by the reporters and science writers of Public Good News (PGN), a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to improving community health.
What’s trending nationally in conversations about mental health
A post on X stating that depression and schizophrenia have been linked to poor gut bacteria gained significant attention this week. The post received approximately 4.9 million views, 4,900 likes, 5,600 shares, and 890 comments as of September 5. In the comments, X users asked which foods promote good gut bacteria for better mental health, and some suggested that health care providers should prescribe “a proper diet” instead of psychiatric medication to treat mental health conditions.
A teacher recently shared a post in the subreddit r/Teachers stating that several of his eighth grade students asked to be excused from giving class presentations due to anxiety. The teacher empathized with their feelings but questioned whether students today have been “given the ability to excuse themselves too often.” The post received approximately 2,500 upvotes and 780 comments as of September 5. Some comments attributed students’ anxiety to social media, while others suggested that virtual learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted students’ development. A news article covered the Reddit thread and offered tips for helping students manage anxiety related to public speaking.
Recommendations brought to you by the health communication experts behind Infodemiology.com.
Recommendations for public health professionals
Each week, the Infodemiology.com team will provide messaging recommendations in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. These helpful tips can be used when creating content, updating web and FAQ pages, and developing strategy for messaging about mental health.
Posts about depression, schizophrenia, and gut health show that the public has questions about the relationship between diet and mental health. Communicators may explain that while studies have shown that changes in gut bacteria are associated with depression and that a particular gut bacterial infection has been linked to an increased risk of schizophrenia, dietary changes are not a substitute for psychiatric medication. People who take psychiatric medication to manage mental health conditions should continue taking their medication as prescribed and should only make adjustments under the guidance of their health care provider. Recirculating mental health resources—including support groups, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and local mental health centers—is recommended.
In response to conversations about anxiety among students, communicators may share tips for teachers and parents to help children and teens manage anxiety, as well as tips to help students work through anxiety related to public speaking. Communicators may also want to recirculate mental health resources specifically geared toward young people, such as the peer support hotline YouthLine, the Trevor Project’s hotline for LGBTQ+ youth, and Seize the Awkward, which helps young people start conversations about mental health.