Has the media contributed to the mental health epidemic in Scotland?

I would like to think that we’re mostly all aware of the epidemic of mental health-related issues Scottish people are facing, but do we know why this is?

And just for context, if you weren’t already aware, according to the 2022 Scottish Health Survey, around 1 in 3 people are estimated to be affected by mental health problems in Scotland.

Now to put that into perspective and emphasise the gravitas of this issue, Inverclyde’s estimated population according to the 2021 data gathered by the National Records of Scotland is around 76,700 people, so according to the statistics outlined above, over 25,000 people in Inverclyde alone are estimated to be affected by mental health problems.

Doesn’t that concern you? I think it should.

Statistics like this get a lot of media coverage, but the research behind why our mental health is at an all-time low is rarely mentioned, and you have got to wonder why that is.

Whilst consulting with local young people in schools and online, and participating in national consultations, I’ve identified a very close link between the excessive usage of social media and poor mental health.

I can even speak from experience and confidently say that social media has in the past harmed my mental well-being and, unfortunately, when I asked young people to answer honestly on how social media had affected their mental health, an overwhelming majority came back to me and said it had negative effects; with an increasing amount of young women telling me it leads to them comparing themselves to others.

Furthermore, A YouGov poll taken in 2019 which surveyed 1012 Scottish adults aged 18-plus showed that just over one fifth (21%) of all Scottish adults and nearly half (46%) of 18 to 24 year olds said images on social media had caused them to worry about their body image.

Now isn’t that just sad that this amazing tool which was created to enhance our lives has become a leading cause of low self-esteem and poor mental health?

I think it is, which is why I’ve been working on the development of a digital resource called ‘Mind Yer Time’ which aims to help and support young people whilst navigating the online world.

The website contains positive tips, stories, and information surrounding the topics of online safety, screen time, and the influence social media can have on our well-being.

‘Mind Yer Time’ has been designed by the Scottish Youth Parliament and the Children’s Parliament, in partnership with the Scottish Government, as part of their commitment to investing in measures to support children and young people looking after their mental health.

The impact the media has on influencing our idea of the ‘ideal body image’ is shocking.

Only recently have we started seeing a more diverse representation of people in films, TV shows, and advertising. And of course, social media opens its own can of worms regarding this too.

However, with this all being said, I’m very happy to see our government recognizing this as a national issue that requires urgent attention.

‘Mind Yer Time’ is a step in the right direction, and I cannot wait to continue my work on future projects, which will hopefully help solve these issues, and prevent them from being passed on to the next generation.