9 TikTok Tool To Help Manage Your Mental Health

In the world today Mental health issues are increasing drastically across the globe, with statistics from “Nature” revealing that 50% of mental health disorders emerge by the age of 14, and 75% by age 25. This trend is particularly concerning in Sub-Saharan Africa, where 14.3% of children face significant psychological challenges, according to “PLOS.” Despite the growing need for mental health support, the region struggles with low mental health literacy, and societal stigma prevents many from seeking the help they need.

TikTok has taken steps to support mental health on a global scale. The platform is investing in various initiatives aimed at promoting mental well-being and combating misinformation around mental health topics. One of the key partnerships in this effort is with the World Health Organization (WHO). Together, TikTok and the WHO are working to address misinformation and provide reliable content through the Fides network, a group of trusted healthcare professionals and content creators dedicated to sharing accurate information. This collaboration has spurred essential conversations on TikTok, with hashtags like #MentalHealth, #MentalHealthMatters, #SelfCare, and #MentalHealthAwareness generating nearly 50 million posts worldwide.

South African healthcare professional Dr. Siyamak Saleh, one of the TikTok dignitaries is playing an important role in advancing these mental health discussions. In partnership with the WHO, Dr. Saleh and others have helped drive awareness and create supportive environments for individuals experiencing psychological challenges. Their efforts highlight the importance of accessible, relatable content in reducing stigma and encouraging conversations about mental health.

Furthermore, TikTok has introduced a range of in-app tools designed to support users in managing their mental health while using the platform. These features aim to foster a balanced and healthy digital experience, especially for vulnerable populations like adolescents. TikTok’s commitment to mental well-being is evident in the following nine tools:

1. You Are Not Alone
   TikTok offers a dedicated mental health support page, providing users with easy access to relevant content and self-help hotlines based on their region. This page is designed to offer reassurance and direct users to appropriate resources.
2. Age Limits and Restrictions
   To create a safer environment for younger users, TikTok enforces a minimum age of 13+ and restricts certain content for users under 18. These measures help protect adolescents from potentially harmful material.
3. Daily Screen Time Limits & Weekly Updates
   Encouraging users to maintain a healthy balance between online and offline life, TikTok allows individuals to set daily screen time limits. Additionally, users receive weekly reports to help monitor their app usage and digital habits.
4. Screen Time Dashboard
   This feature provides a detailed breakdown of a user’s time spent on the app, enabling them to make more informed decisions about their digital activity and its potential impact on their mental health.
5. Screen Time Breaks
   TikTok prompts users to take breaks after extended periods of app use. These reminders are designed to reduce digital fatigue and support overall mental well-being by encouraging more mindful app usage.
6. Prompts for Younger Users
   Adolescents who spend over 100 minutes on the app receive prompts to set daily screen time limits. This proactive feature helps foster healthier digital habits, especially among teens, who are particularly vulnerable to mental health challenges.
7. Family Pairing
   To ensure a more balanced digital experience for younger users, TikTok offers a Family Pairing feature. This allows parents to monitor their teens’ screen time and adjust privacy settings, promoting safe and responsible app use.
8. Well-Being Guides
   TikTok’s Safety Centre provides Well-Being Guides that offer practical tips on managing app usage and supporting users facing mental health challenges. These guides aim to empower users with knowledge and strategies for maintaining mental well-being.
9. Sleep Reminders
   To help users develop healthier sleep habits, TikTok includes a sleep reminder feature. This allows users to set a time for the app to mute notifications, reducing nighttime distractions and promoting better rest. TikTok automatically mutes push notifications for users between the ages of 13 and 17, further supporting healthy sleep routines for younger audiences.

This approach underscores TikTok’s broader mission to address mental health challenges head-on and provide users with the tools necessary to navigate both their mental well-being and digital lives.