11 Mental Health Advocates to Follow on Instagram

In a time where every week (or day) is packed with bad news, it can be hard to turn to social media and use it as a way of escapism. The minute you decide to scroll through your feed, you’re most likely bombarded with political news, racial injustices, or loved ones arguing with others about the trying times. And while it’s important to be mindful of what’s going on in the world, the ever-changing inconsistencies can negatively impact your mental health.

That’s why, recently, many of us have chosen to adjust how we use social media platforms by either switching up our routines or adding more positive mental health accounts to our feeds. According to an August 2020 survey conducted by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 56% of Americans (out of 2,000 polled) said, “their social media habits have changed because of tensions surrounding current events this year” while 20% of the same group said, “they’ve taken breaks from social media because of tensions surrounding current events this year.”

For many people, the stress caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and political news, as well as other issues happening in the world, have led to “worse mental health outcomes, increased substance use, and elevated suicidal ideation,” per a CDC survey from June. With all that in mind, it makes sense that some of us prefer to have our social media feeds feel like a place of serenity and comfort, rather than a pit of despair.

If you want to add more positivity into your social media platforms, here are 11 mental health advocates to follow who can help with your own mental health and provide a little more happiness in your digital space.