Online there exists numerous "Confessions" Facebook pages for most Canadian universities including Dalhousie University, McMaster University, and even the University of Toronto where students can share anonymous confessions ranging from the humorous to more troubling and serious issues.
Recently, an article shed light on one of the largest Facebook pages, SFU Confessions, where students have been anonymously submitting stories of depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts and ideation.
In this interesting article (link below) the author suggests that though it is important for students to openly discuss their mental health issues, the anonymous means Facebook pages such as these provides, only serves to continue perpetuating stigma and fails to help truly support students and connect them to appropriate supports and resources. Rather, the author suggests, we should be encouraging students to have "meaningful" and personal conversations about mental illness with family, friends, or mental health services on campus or in our communities.
What do you think about the issues discussed in this article? Do you think anonymous web or Facebook pages are appropriate or helpful outlets for those facing mental health challenges?
"If individuals are encouraged to only share their struggles when they can fear no social repercussions, then instead of challenging the belief that talking about mental health is shameful or embarrassing, it perpetuates that stigma. Instead of being able to put a face to mental health issues, there remains a shroud of secrecy."
For the full article, click here: http://www.the-peak.ca/2015/11/sfus-culture-of-confessions-obscures-mental-health-issues/
Recently, an article shed light on one of the largest Facebook pages, SFU Confessions, where students have been anonymously submitting stories of depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts and ideation.
In this interesting article (link below) the author suggests that though it is important for students to openly discuss their mental health issues, the anonymous means Facebook pages such as these provides, only serves to continue perpetuating stigma and fails to help truly support students and connect them to appropriate supports and resources. Rather, the author suggests, we should be encouraging students to have "meaningful" and personal conversations about mental illness with family, friends, or mental health services on campus or in our communities.
What do you think about the issues discussed in this article? Do you think anonymous web or Facebook pages are appropriate or helpful outlets for those facing mental health challenges?
"If individuals are encouraged to only share their struggles when they can fear no social repercussions, then instead of challenging the belief that talking about mental health is shameful or embarrassing, it perpetuates that stigma. Instead of being able to put a face to mental health issues, there remains a shroud of secrecy."
For the full article, click here: http://www.the-peak.ca/2015/11/sfus-culture-of-confessions-obscures-mental-health-issues/
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