Popular post generates conversation about preventing and treating depression
Other posts discussed the recent suicide of a California teenager, plus increasing suicide rates in the military.
Other posts discussed the recent suicide of a California teenager, plus increasing suicide rates in the military.
This past week, an X post with more than 20 million views sparked conversation about managing depression by spending time outside and socializing. Other posts discussed the suicide of a California high school student who had experienced bullying and a recent report on rising suicide rates in the military.
In response, communicators may share resources for people experiencing depression and tips for managing symptoms—particularly during the coming winter, which may cause or exacerbate depression in some people—as well as suicide prevention resources for youth, current military members, and veterans.
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
On November 15, an X user shared a post stating that he had “finally discovered the cure to depression and it’s just leaving the house at every single possible opportunity no matter how badly you don’t want to.” The post received approximately 20.4 million views, 306,000 likes, 30,000 reposts, and 1,800 comments as of November 20. Many comments encouraged people experiencing depression to spend time outside and socialize more often. Some, however, stated that the post did not understand depression and that some people may benefit from at-home coping tools.
On November 12, several local news articles reported that a 14-year-old boy in California died by suicide after classmates bullied him for living in a homeless shelter. News of the boy’s death spread across multiple social media platforms, with some posts receiving more than 100,000 likes. Most comments expressed condolences for the boy’s family, and some shared their own stories about experiencing bullying and housing insecurity as children. Other posts promoted the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Several stigmatizing comments blamed the boy’s parents for his death, alleging that they created the circumstances that led to his suicide.
A recent report from the Department of Defense found that suicides in the U.S. miltary increased in 2023. The report’s findings spread across multiple social media platforms, where posts promoted resources for current military members, veterans, and others who are experiencing suicidal thoughts. Some comments stressed the importance of recognizing suicide warning signs in current and former military members.
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.
Conversations about depression provide an opportunity to share general mental health resources, including therapist directories, support groups, local mental health centers, and mental health hotlines like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Sharing treatment options and tips for managing depression and seasonal affective disorder leading up to and during the winter months is recommended.
In light of conversations about youth suicide, communicators may recirculate suicide warning signs in children and teens, as well as mental health resources geared toward youth, 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. Sharing local programs and support groups for youth, including those experiencing housing insecurity, is recommended.
Ongoing discussion about suicide and mental health in the military may indicate a need for additional messaging and mental health resources for current and former military members. Communicators may share tailored resources, such as the Real Warriors campaign, the Psychological Health Resource Center and its hotline, the inTransition Program, local vet centers, and the Veterans Crisis Line.