‘I think that we can effect change’: Psychologist use of social media for social justice advocacy

TL;DR

Psychologists use social media to advocate for social justice, sharing mental health education and raising awareness about inequalities.

Contribution

This study explores how practitioner psychologists use Instagram for social justice advocacy and mental health promotion.

Findings

Psychologists are motivated to use social media to address systemic issues and promote mental health literacy.

Social media can help reduce self-blame and raise awareness about social inequalities among marginalized communities.

There are challenges in balancing social justice advocacy with promoting private practice on social media.

Abstract

Psychologists can bring social justice into their professional presence on social media, with the public perceiving health care professionals as a reputable source of information online. This study aimed to explore practitioner psychologists' use of social media for social justice advocacy as a mental health influencer.

Twelve UK‐based practitioner psychologists were interviewed who had an Instagram account that they used as a mental health influencer. The semi‐structured interview transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Systemic issues have motivated many psychologists to begin work as a mental health influencer. There are challenges between the use of social media for social justice advocacy and for business purposes to promote private practice. Psychologists can use social media to share psychoeducation to increase mental health literacy and encourage access to therapy. The accessibility of this content is particularly valuable for people from marginalised communities and for people on long waiting lists to access mental health support. Psychologists can use social media to raise critical consciousness of social inequalities and reduce an individual's sense of self‐blame.

Irrespective of working in the public sector or private practice, there are opportunities for psychologists to use social media as a resource for social justice advocacy.

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