The first step in Social Media First Aid is to recognize the signs of a mental health emergency caused by social media.
Some signs include
• Obsessively checking social media accounts
• Feeling anxious or depressed after using social media
• Engaging in self-destructive behaviors because of social media
• Feeling isolated or disconnected from others because of social media
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency caused by social media, it's important to take immediate action.
Here are some steps you can take
• Step away from social media and put your phone on silent.
• Take deep breaths and focus on your breathing to calm yourself down.
• If you feel like you're in danger, call 911 or your local emergency number.
In many cases, it's important to seek professional help when dealing with a mental health emergency caused by social media.
Here are some resources that can help
• Call a crisis hotline in your country or state.
• Talk to a mental health professional. Your healthcare provider can refer you to a mental health professional.
• Join a support group. There are many support groups for people struggling with mental health issues caused by social media.
Self-care is an important part of Social Media First Aid.
Here are some self-care tips that can help
• Get enough sleep.
• Exercise regularly.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Practice mindfulness meditation or deep breathing exercises.
• Engage in activities that make you happy, such as hobbies or spending time with friends and family.
Finally, it's important to create a plan for the future to prevent future mental health emergencies caused by social media.
Here are some steps you can take
• Limit your social media use.Unfollow or block people or accounts that make you feel anxious or depressed.
• Seek support from friends and family.
• Practice healthy coping mechanisms, such as journaling or talking to a therapist.
You are taking an important step towards improving your mental health by following these Social Media First Aid steps.
It can be tough to navigate the effects of social media on our mental well-being, but remember that you are not alone in this.
By recognizing the signs of a mental health emergency, taking immediate action, seeking professional help, practicing self-care, and creating a plan for the future, you are actively working towards a happier and healthier life.
Remember to be kind to yourself and to take things one step at a time.
You've got this!
Social Media and smart technology seem to be omnipresent. In 2005, only 5% of American adults admitted to using at least one social media platform versus 72% today according to The Pew Research Center.
There is an unfortunate lack of parental supervision as it pertains to children's engagement levels on social media.
Likewise, some adults have accountability systems in place tomonitor their social media use whereas some adults do not.
Social Media First Aid, you will learn a step-by-step process for addressing concerns regarding the impact of social media on the well-being of those around you.
With the information learned, you will be able to help others help themselves, as well as anyone else around them being impacted by social media.
By getting trained in
• Cyber-Psychoanalysis
• Triple-Consciousness Theory
• The Social Media Persona Social Media Awareness
As a way to analyze the life of a person, it is most helpful to use the Bio Psycho-Social-Spiritual-Cultural framework. This Framework provides a deeper understanding of the potential impact of social media engagement on a person's total well-being, as well as what risk factors to look for.
1. Identify challenges within the Biological self such as sleep disturbances, eating changes, energy levels and somatic experiences.
2. Identify the challenges within the Psychological self. The Psychological self revolves around aspects of yourself such as various forms of cognition and overall thinking patterns.
3. Identify challenges within the Social self. Externally, the social self covers the external aspects of your life such as your family, friends, lovers, strangers, community, and the larger society.
4. Identify challenges with the Spiritual Self. The spiritual self pertains to the essence of life, what many would call the source of being alive. This can refer to faith-based belief systems, religion, or any other forms of practice that are intended for self-improvement, self-fulfillment, purpose, or enlightenment that focuses on the inner being.
5. Identify challenges within the Cultural Self. The cultural self encompasses things that relate to how one identifies to the world and in the world, as well as the values and core beliefs one holds including the origins of those beliefs and values.
An ACTION PLAN for helping those impacted by Social Media.
Use the 4 steps to guide your conversation and try to be as natural as possible.
Highlight the person's strengths and refer them to the Social Media First Aid website.
• Ask: Do you have any stressors?
• Reflect: Listen to what they have to say and reflect their perspective back.
• Confirm: Clarify if they want to receive help or not, and then confirm what you understand about their response.
• Strengthen: Refer them to the Social Media First Aid Community for resources. Strengthen their ability to help self or someone else.
Get Trained in Social Media First Aid and join the ranks of those equipped with targeted knowledge, understanding, and wisdom to help with the challenges of social media use.
Build the community of SMFA Shareable Content for your social media platforms. Share the wisdom, understanding, and knowledge with those in your social networks to help social media users from the inside out.
Become a Certified Social Media First Aid Trainer and help replicate the positive impact of SMFA by becoming a Certified SMFA Trainer for your region - learning to facilitate and train others that want to help decrease the maladaptive impact of social media use.
Those who complete the training will receive a completion certificate.
• Mental Health Referrals
• Behavior Health Referrals
• Alternative Health Referrals
• Participating Regions (I.E. WHICH CITIES, COUNTIES, PARISHES, STATES, ETC.)
• Local and National Events (E.G. CALENDAR EVENTS, TRAINING SESSIONS NEAR YOU, ETC.)
• The Impact of SMFA (I.E. STATISTIC ON NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS, TESTIMONIALS, ETC).
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