By skyforbes 
Author Skylar Ngo
You’ve seen the clips: soft lighting, soothing music, bold text across the screen saying, “If you do this one thing, your anxiety will disappear.” But here’s the reality — many of these viral “mental health tips” aren’t grounded in science.
A recent study reviewed the top 100 TikToks under #mentalhealthtips. The results? More than 50% were flagged as misleading or harmful by professionals. Psychologists warn that well-meaning but oversimplified advice is not only inaccurate — it can actually make people feel worse.
Mental Health Goes Viral: What’s Behind the Trend?
Here’s what’s happening on the feed:
- TikTok’s algorithm rewards relatability and personal storytelling.
- Emotional content gets higher engagement, regardless of accuracy.
- Many creators use therapeutic language — but aren’t trained to do so.
For users seeking quick comfort, it’s easy to mistake personal anecdotes for professional advice. And with content moving at the speed of a scroll, nuance often gets lost.
Brands have also jumped in. Supplements like Cymbiotika and Bloom Nutrition have been promoted by influencers using mental health narratives — claiming benefits for anxiety, mood, or focus, often without clear clinical backing. Meanwhile, therapy apps like BetterHelp and MindDoc frequently appear in sponsored videos by content creators and influencers, blending personal testimonials with marketing in a way that can blur the line between genuine help and advertising, especially since BetterHelp has been highly criticized for low therapist standards and aggressive influencer marketing.
What We’re Gaining: Visibility and Connection
It’s not all bad. Social media has made mental health more visible than ever.
People are sharing their experiences openly, breaking down stigma, and finding support through community. For many, TikTok has been a gateway to realizing they’re not alone — and that matters.
What We’re Losing: Clinical Accuracy and Trust
But there’s a catch: credibility is getting blurry.
When advice on PTSD, depression, or anxiety gets boiled down into a 30-second hack, it can trivialize real struggles. And when viewers try a viral coping strategy that doesn’t “work,” it can actually deepen their distress.
As one NHS psychiatrist put it, “This is providing misinformation to impressionable people and can also trivialize the life experiences of people living with serious mental illness.”
The Real Question: Who Gets to Speak on Mental Health — And Who Gets Heard?
TikTok defended its platform, saying it works with WHO and NHS to remove harmful content. But the question remains:
How do we balance free expression with safety?
And how can we ensure that mental health content is helpful — not harmful?
Final Thoughts
Social media isn’t a therapist. But it’s where many people are turning for help.
If we want to make mental health content truly supportive, we need more collaboration between creators, clinicians, and platforms. Education should be empowering — not misleading.
Have you ever seen mental health advice on social media that made you question its accuracy? What do you think platforms should do to help protect users — without silencing real stories?