Social media trending mindset.

Has the real world developed a social media trending mindset? Comprising all talk and no action? Here’s what I have to say:

Follow us

There’s no doubt that today, mental health gets a lot of airplay. All one needs to do is surf the news agencies and social media. From there it would take only a matter of seconds to find an article related to the mental-health crisis the world is currently plunged into.

However, as far as I’m concerned, the subject of mental health is nothing more than a huge trending buzzword. In other words, there’s a lot of talk and outward sympathy, but when one boils it all down, it’s not taken nearly as seriously as it should.

In my humble opinion, many of us have adopted a social media-trending mindset. What do I mean by this? Well, like incidents on social media, the most pressing issues are here today and gone tomorrow. What I find most disturbing about this behavior, is the almost patronizing one-liners that come with it.

Check out our Mental Health Resources Page

For example, when I toured around after my book, The Road To Mental Wellness was launched, I met a lot of people with sympathy and understanding. And while it was nice and comforting to have so much support thrown behind the subject of mental health, it was at the same time, disheartening. Perhaps more accurately, it became disheartening thereafter. By this I mean the lack of support that materialized as a result of their words.

While I don’t wish to cast a negative light on anyone, and I will forever be grateful for those who have bought my book, I remain saddened.  What saddens me the most, you ask? Well, It’s the amount of very similar words that flow from the well-meaning people I encounter.

in my opinion, many of them are so similar, they remind me of a Internet hashtag. To be more accurate, what comes out of this social media-trending mindset is the quintessential one-liner. One that may be popular amongst people – in this case the #mental health. Moreover, people are happy to express how dire mental health is but the actions to fix said dire situation are lacking.

Here, let me provide you with an example.

Many people I’ve met say:

“I’m so happy to see that you’re brave enough to share your story. As you know, mental health is in a state of crisis. Your book will help so many people.”

 So, before I go any further, I really must emphasize that this is not about the book sales. Rather, it is an observation I’ve made while in the middle of trying to sell it. In my view, this is a very important distinction.

Now, with that said, I would say that the vast majority of those who expressed their verbal support for mental health, did not purchase my book – a decision that is completely up to them. And as I said, this post is not about my book sales. Nevertheless, it highlights a very troubling trend. This trend, you ask? That of believing that your words are sufficient enough to feel like you supported a cause. In this example, mental health.

Read the Sneak Peek -The Road To Mental Wellness, my book for free!

Front and back cover of the road to mental wellness - 8 sings your relationship is hurting your mental health.
Want to get the complete Audiobook version Free! Go to our Homepage and use the Scriber form to receive our newsletter. Boom the book is yours.

In my view, it’s the real-world equivalent to placing a certain colour on your profile pic and thinking that you have done something wonderful to support what the colour represents. When in reality, all you’ve done is change your profile pic. I suspect this eases the mind of those who jump on the color-changing bandwagon.  From where I stand, this is more of an individual move then a unifier. But I digress.

In crisis? Go to Crisis Services Canada

What’s worse, is that the very media that talks about the impending doom as a result of the mental-health crisis, puts your interview on page 9 – and opting instead to place a more politically-correct issue on the front page. Now, I’m not saying said issues are not worthy; what I am saying is that things that are labeled crisis are more worthy of the front page. And as far as I’m concerned, this is yet another example of a social media-trending mindset. After all, it’s all about the ratings. Am I right?

And finally, there was an old saying in English: “talk is cheap.” A statement that I find especially true in today’s social media-trending environment. Essentially, what I’m asking here is for people to stand up and take action to help rid ourselves of the two-tiered mental health care system and demand funding for a robust, publicly-funded mental-health care system.

I will leave you with this: while I will continue to fight for those with mental-health conditions and the system they are forced to navigate through, I’m not overly optimistic. Why? Well, simply stated, people would rather march, scream, holler, and protest over matters of less significance. What’s more disturbing, is that they are willing to “fight” for what Impacts them on an individual level.

Download the audiobook version of the book, The Road To Mental Wellness FREE (CH’s 1 through 5 Here)

When in fact, what we should be fighting for are the very things that impact us as a nation – from coast to coast. And given that mental-health cases are on the rise at an alarming level, this would be a perfect subject matter to get mad over. And finally, I’ll leave you with these questions.

“What are the most pressing issues impacting society as a whole?” And what actions do we as a nation have to take in order to prevent further degradation to our social systems?”

If you answer starts out with me, I, or my, you may be concerned with your own needs and less worried about your family, your friends, and your nation. I am convinced that we need to unify as a nation to fix universal systems.

Follow us

Jonathan Arenburg

Jonathan Reginald-Nixon Arenburg (Born January 14, 1976) is a Canadian mental health blogger, speaker, and published author. Retired from the fire service and long-term care fields, he has written and self-published an autobiographical account of his life-long battle with anxiety, depression and more recently, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Titled, The Road To Mental Wellness, he wrote it for what he calls “therapeutic release.” He published it in hopes it would help others going through similar mental health conditions. The sales of The Road To Mental Wellness have been steady selling over 300 copies since its release on October 10, 2021(World Mental Health Day). Arenburg has also been involved in a collaborative publication Called Lemonade Stand Volume III, a book featuring 20 authors who bravely tell their stories of PTSD. All authors where from the military and or emergency services. Published by Joshua Rivedal and Kathleen Myers for the i’Mpossible project, a mental health advocacy organization. Jonathan has also appeared on several mental health podcasts including The Depression Files, A New Dawn, and The Above Ground Podcast Arenburg has also consulted with the Government of Nova Scotia and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, the Honorable Brian Comer and Candidates for the New Democratic Party of Canada, on improving the mental health care system in Canada. Additionally, Jonathan was recognized in The Nova Scotia Legislature by the Honorable, Chris Palmer, Kings-North MLA, for his Book, The Road To Mental Wellness, his fight to make the mental health care system better. In addition, Chis acknowledged the support he gives to others.

3 thoughts on “Social media trending mindset.

Please leave a comment and tell us what you liked about what you read.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.