Mental illness is an ongoing issue for millions of people worldwide. Depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder are commonly diagnosed illnesses within our society.

While the effects of social media on mental health are well-documented, there are ways that social media can help with your mental health. And Facebook is doing more than most.

Here are just some of the ways Facebook can help you if you're having a mental health crisis.

1. Facebook Has Banned Triggering Images

It’s no secret that being exposed to upsetting images and posts can take a toll on our mental health. Unfortunately, we are exposed to troubling images and posts daily on social media, but Facebook is working to fix this problem.

Since 2017, Facebook has been using artificial intelligence to detect and ban images, videos, and posts about suicide and other subjects that can be considered triggering or toxic to our mental health.

By eliminating these posts before we see them, the company is protecting us from viewing posts that may cause us distress.

Also, don’t forget that you also have the ability to report a disturbing post on Facebook by clicking the three dots in the upper-right corner of the post and selecting "Find support or report post".

Facebook Find Support or Report Post
Click the three dots on the right of the image

2. Facebook Offers Support Groups for Mental Health

Facebook has always had a feature for you to create your own communities. There are thousands of groups on Facebook for sufferers of various medical ailments, from chronic pain support groups to communities for cancer survivors. However, the most prominent types of medical communities within Facebook are mental health support groups.

You can join these groups and connect with other users all around the world who suffer from mental illnesses. This fosters an environment of comradery, candor, and support where the group members can help each other through their problems.

How to join a support group on Facebook:

  1. Open Facebook and go to your newsfeed.
  2. Select Groups at the top of the screen.
  3. Click in the empty search bar and search for the type of group you want to join. Then click Search or hit Enter.
    Facebook Mental Health Support Search
  4. When you find the group you want to join hit "+ join group" and answer any prerequisite questions.
    Facebook Join Depression Group
  5. Wait for your notification of acceptance and start connecting.

I have previously been a member of several groups for women who suffer from the autoimmune disease, Fibromyalgia. I really enjoyed the support I received from these groups and even made a couple of friends from these communities.

3. Take a Break From Specific Facebook Friends

Have you ever had a friend on Facebook that you never talk to, but somehow their presence on your friend list drains you?

Facebook realizes that not everyone’s timeline is fun to look at, and not everyone’s posts are uplifting and happy. To combat this issue, the company has introduced a feature to help us take a break from a specific friend for a month.

The "Snooze a friend for 30 days" feature on Facebook allows you to temporarily unfollow a friend for a month. The friend will not know you unfollowed them, as they do not get a notification when you do this.

You can turn the "snooze" off anytime you wish by going to the friend’s profile and clicking on the icon with the avatar and checkmark. Then you can select the option to turn the snooze off early and re-follow them.

This feature allows you to take a break from a friend who is posting negative or depressing content, a breather from an ex after a break-up, or just time away from someone who excessively posts on Facebook.

To unfollow a friend for 30 days:

  1. When they appear in your newsfeed, click on the three dots in the top-right of their posts and select "snooze - for 30 days".
  2. You can also snooze the problem friend from their profile. Search for them in the search bar and click on the avatar with the checkmark, then select "Take a break".
  3. Now you can scroll through your newsfeed without seeing anyone you don’t want to see. This feature automatically turns on after a month and re-follows the friend, so after the 30 days, you will see that friends' posts again.

4. Offering Crisis Support via Facebook Messenger

Sometimes, friends and therapists aren’t available to talk to. Some of the toughest times for people who are suffering from depression are in the middle of the night or during the holidays when many clinician's offices are closed and friends are asleep or busy.

Facebook has partnered with a few prominent organizations to assist people by adding an option for you to chat 24/7 with someone who can listen and help during a time of hardship.

The organizations that are participating in this new feature include: The National Eating Disorder Association, Crisis Text Line, Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

You can use this feature to connect with a crisis counselor by searching for these organizations in the search bar, clicking on the one you want to connect with, and selecting the blue "Message" button on their page.

5. Making Suicide Prevention Tools Available

Suicide rates have been steadily rising in our society and Facebook recognizes this. For more than 10 years, the social network has had a number of suicide prevention tools available in its help center.

From contacts for suicide helplines, to contact information for help with eating disorders, Facebook has many different options available for you if you need help.

Facebook also includes self-care tips in its help center, as well as a list of ways for you to distract yourself if you are having a bad day.

To access these tools:

  1. Go to the Facebook Help Center and type in "suicide prevention" or a similar term.
    Facebook Health Center Search
  2.  Select the phrase that best describes your needs. The information will appear according to what phrase you select.
Facebook Mental Health Resources

Helpful Solutions for a Growing Problem

The founder and voice of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, has candidly spoken about the effects social media can have on mental health.

He has recognized that his product can be toxic to some users. As he acknowledges this problem, he has taken steps to help people during their time of crisis.

While these features are very helpful, sometimes you may need more assistance than a social media app can offer. So, if you are experiencing signs of depression or anxiety, please see a doctor at your earliest convenience, dial 911, or visit your local hospital for help.

Image Credit:Anthony Tran/Unsplash