Overview As a consequence of his investigation into abnormal behavior, Jamal has

Overview
As a consequence of his investigation into abnormal behavior, Jamal
has begun to realize that the simple notion of mental illness often
contains a hidden and undesirable message: In some cases, having a
mental illness could imply that a person is deficient, unwhole, or
broken. Jamal has also learned that the stigma associated with mental
illness could cause some individuals to delay or even refuse to seek
treatment for their condition. In fact, Jamal’s review of the research
on stigma and mental illness points to one very concerning piece of
evidence: When sufferers feel stigmatized, they are not only less likely
to seek help, but they are more likely to further withdraw, isolate,
and feel powerless over their condition.
When Jamal decided to explore how people are using social media to
promote mental health, he was shocked by what he found: A search using
the key phrase mental health yielded over 50 million results.
With every scroll and click, Jamal found himself immersed in mental
health messaging. From psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers
to counselors, coaches, and people who simply called themselves
advocates, mental health influencers were seemingly everywhere. However,
unlike his friends and family members who can’t seem to get enough of
social media, Jamal often feels even more stressed and depressed after a
long scroll through his social media feed. After all, if what he’s
seeing in his feed are ideal skills, bodies, and lifestyles, then how
can he not compare—and despair?
Yet, despite social media’s shortcomings, Jamal is aware of how it
can provide us with senses of safety, security, and belonging in times
when we need it most. During moments when he felt overwhelmed by
sadness, Jamal has received comfort and reassurance from those who have
shared similar experiences with depression. In this respect, Jamal
appreciates the empathy, validation, and human connection that can be
found within his interactions on social media—a tool that, when applied
in adaptive ways, can be used to promote help, hope, and healing.
Prompt
The following resources support your work on this activity:
Reading: Social Media and the Cost of Caring
Module Two Milestone Template Word Document: You may use this template to complete the Module Two Milestone assignment. To complete this milestone, review the Pew Research article “Social
Media and the Cost of Caring,” linked above. As you weigh the costs and
benefits of frequent exposure to social media, respond to each of the
rubric criteria with a minimum of 3 to 5 sentences. Support your
position with credible sources when appropriate:
According to the findings of the Pew Research study, there are
several potential costs and benefits that result from frequent exposure
to social media.
Describe one psychological benefit of frequent social media use.
Describe one psychological cost of frequent social media use.
At the end of the study overview on page 3, the researchers discuss the notion of stress being contagious. Describe what the research findings tell us about
the link between our awareness of other people’s stressful life events
on social media and increases in our own stress.
We often refer to our involvement in social media groups as being a member of a community. Describe how social media can promote the levels of education and awareness that help to enhance well-being.
Despite the positive intent of some social media influencers, their
messages don’t always promote empathy, diversity, and inclusion. If you were a social media influencer, describe how you would use social media to enhance compassion and empathy for all people who struggle with psychological disorders.
What to Submit
Submit your completed Module Two Milestone Template. Sources should be cited according to APA style.