Teens need personal interaction as balance
A study published recently by the American Medical Association revealed that teens who use social media more than three hours a day may be at heightened risk for mental health issues, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Mental health issues among teens and children have been on the rise and social media is among the top contributing factors, according to Michelle Myles, director of crisis services at Acenda Integrated Health in Cape May Court House.
“Once you go on Instagram or TikTok, you see people and what they are doing. Sometimes without intention you compare yourself to them. You feel like you come up short to others or like you’re not making anything of your life,” Myles said.
Online relationships are no substitute for personal social contact, she added.
“People may think they are having social interactions because they are having a conversation online with someone. It’s a type of socialization, but we are humans; we need face-to-face contact with people,” she said. “We need to meet up with others. We are not meant to sit by ourselves for hours and have superficial conversations. To think that social media conversations replace real life friendships is a mistake.”
These feelings of coming up short and lack of socialization can lead to low self-esteem and loneliness which could lead to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, social anxiety, eating disorders and body dysmorphia.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), common symptoms that can help identify mental issues include excessive worrying, feeling excessively sad or low, confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning, as well as extreme mood changes, prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger, avoiding friends and social activities, difficulties understanding or relating to other people, changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and changes in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetite.
The NAMI Atlantic/Cape May chapter is based in Somers Point.
Social media is highly addictive, according to jeffersonhealth.org, triggering the brain to release dopamine, a natural reaction that provides a temporary high.
Myles said because social media is heavily addictive, it is critical to be able to identify the symptoms of addiction.
“Just like in any other mental health situation, you have to evaluate how much social media is impacting your life,” Myles said. “Am I sitting around for hours a day scrolling on social media instead of going out? How many times a week am I hanging out with my friends? Am I missing work because I want to scroll online? Am I getting in trouble at work because I can’t stay off of my phone? When you start answering yes to those questions, then you might want to think about seeing somebody.”
Seeking help and support
Those who are struggling or know someone who is struggling with mental health should contact a local outpatient provider.
AtlantiCare Behavioral Health is available at (609) 348-1161. Acenda Integrated Health is available at (844) 422-3632.
In addition, those who are experiencing a mental health crisis or considering harming themselves or others can text 988. The hotline is a 24 hour, toll-free confidential support line for people in distress. Visit 988lifeline.org for more information.
NAMI Atlantic/Cape May hosts monthly support meetings and offers other services. Call the NAMI helpline at (800) 950-6264 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday or visit namiacm.org. Those experiencing a crisis can text “NAMI” to 741741 for 24/7 confidential, free crisis counseling.
By CAMRYN SCHULTHEIS/For the Sentinel