When being “connected” isn’t necessarily a good thing
Because mental illnesses often leave us feeling isolated, many of those suffering have benefitted from technology’s ability to make access to resources, help, and peer groups easier. While there is no disputing the valuable role technology plays in raising awareness of mental health and providing support for those struggling, there is little discussion around the actual contribution to mental illness that technology itself can make.
In a world that is “connected” in a virtually constant manner, it’s easy to overlook the negative impacts of something that supposedly brings us closer together than ever before.
Social media
How our lives are portrayed online is distinctly different from the ups and downs faced in our day-to-day realities. The endless array of social media sites and apps that are available for self-promotion are plenty of fun, but we somehow forget that, just as we tailor our posts to ensure our audience sees a picture-perfect version of our lives, what we see of others’ lives online seldom tells the whole story.
Scrolling through the engagement announcements, first-home purchases, stunning travel photos, and cutesy couple posts from our peers, it is easy to quickly decide that our lives are single-handedly the most boring of all.
While I personally try to lighten my inferiority complex with self-deprecating humour—for example, “Cat litter was on sale today, so I’ve got that going for me, which is nice”—it certainly isn’t hard to fall into the trap of “Everyone else has their life so together.”
Although this effect is somewhat the intent of social media in the first place, it’s important to remember that what you’re seeing of others’ lives is the highly edited version. Besides, who doesn’t love a cat litter sale?
Mandatory vs. optional
When I complain about technology to others, it’s often pointed out to me that I don’t have to use it.
While in many cases this is technically true, as a U of G student, for example, there are many aspects of my academic life mandating that I be connected. WebAdvisor, CourseLink, and GryphMail are all essential components of the Gryphon life, and one would be extremely hard-pressed to earn their degree without using them. Logging into my school accounts after merely a day away, the 35 notifications are enough to keep cardiologists everywhere employed for the foreseeable future.
Similarly, even so-called “optional” sites, such as Facebook, are becoming increasingly harder to avoid. Event invitations are sent through the cybersphere rather than by paper or phone, and students without a Facebook account face a disadvantage against those who can access support groups for difficult courses, where previous assignments and exams are discussed or even (wrongly) shared or sold.
Perceiving technology to be something that we must attach ourselves to, rather than a recreational medium to enjoy in our downtime, can amass a sense of unending obligation to be connected that takes a negative toll on the mental health of many working professionals.
Fear of missing out
The fear of missing out, or FOMO, is another type of technological pressure that is placed upon us.
We remain perpetually logged in, lest we miss a party invite, ugly photo tag that must be removed, or (heaven forbid) a reveal of Beyonce’s pregnancy.
Avoiding Facebook during a vacation will result in 12 missed friend requests, five wall posts, and 16 messages (including one from that random guy in Brazil who you definitely do not know). And don’t you dare participate in an online argument, or you’ll be responding to troll comments for a minimum of three hours.
While, again, this is all supposedly optional connection, it does not feel like we really have a choice.
The truth is, being disconnected raises the possibility of missing something we don’t want to miss, and that is a pretty scary (if not sad) thought. This FOMO is the reason we panic when reaching to a phone-less pocket, and it is the reason we are semi-unwitting prisoners to our devices.
Lack of face-to-face communication
Three words (or is it one word?): #BellLetsTalk. Corporate interests aside, this admirable annual awareness drive is, in principle, a wonderful thing. But, as heartwarming as it is to see the outpouring of support for those suffering from mental illness, what is said or typed and what is followed through in action can be very different. Technology has made it easier than ever to see that we are not alone, but in the greatest times of need, a computer or phone screen simply won’t suffice.
Face-to-face, verbal communication is by far the most effective connection in providing support to those struggling.
Online links, chat groups, and resources are excellent, but the effort behind a typed paragraph or hashtag is negligible compared to a long chat when distressed, a true change in attitude regarding mental illnesses, or even a hug that accompanies a sincere, “Are you okay? Let’s talk if you’re ready.”
If we can approach mental illness in these latter manners, maybe we can put a dent in the suffering that surrounds us—whatever the cause.
Photo by Mariah Bridgeman/The Ontarion.