Lauren Carnes, Campus Carrier online editor
When it comes to mental health, there is a clear generational gap when viewpoints are expressed. While tolerance and acceptance of mental illness have improved in recent years, the subject is still taboo for some. In fact, many people who fall into older generations like the Baby Boomers will refuse to acknowledge it at all. Individuals within younger generations have generally been more accepting and open about their mental health, which also means that they possess more knowledge about the topic overall. Younger people are more likely to be able to identify warning signs and know where to reach out for help.
I believe that if older generations had the internet available to them, their perspective would be drastically different. With the internet being such a readily available resource for people, it is easier to access educational materials on many topics. Of course, it can also be argued that the internet is also home to an abundance of false information. However, there is tons of scholarly material available at our fingertips.
The argument that social media is detrimental to our mental health has been made repeatedly. I do believe that the argument is valid; social media platforms are designed to be addicting. Spending a lot of time on social media can lead to individuals making harmful comparisons, experiencing fear of missing out, delaying their sleep, et cetera. However, it can also be argued that social media can have positive effects on mental health. It can provide people with a sense of community. It allows people to see that they are not alone in their struggles. They will not feel as isolated, and they can connect with others on diverse topics. It can also be used as a motivational tool for people to make healthier lifestyle choices. The internet has certainly impacted our culture in many ways; one of the ways it has shifted our culture is it has led to the destigmatization of mental health and receiving treatment.
While many people of older generations use social media, they do not use it in the same way that generations like Millennials and Generation Z do. Had older generations grown up in the more progressive, open-minded era that these younger generations have, they might not have stigmatized mental health as much as they did. Perhaps they would have been more willing to learn about and receive treatment for their mental health; unlike how it was viewed in the past, seeking treatment for mental health is viewed as a strength rather than a weakness.
Due to a lack of research and resources in the past, many people were afraid to express their struggles openly. People who showed signs of mental illness were often imprisoned in asylums and shunned from society. Therefore, when it came to the topic of mental health, ignorance was bliss. However, this is no longer the case today. While it is important to acknowledge that older generations can educate younger generations on various topics, it is also important to note that older generations can also stand to learn quite a bit from younger generations.