Social Media’s 10 Worst Pieces of Mental Health Advice

Social Media’s 10 Worst Pieces of Mental Health Advice

Social media is full of catchy mental health advice. Some of it resonates deeply, leaving us feeling encouraged or inspired. But not all popular advice is good advice. Some of these well-meaning messages oversimplify complex issues, misunderstand mental health science, or even spread harmful ideas.

The problem is widespread. A recent analysis from PlushCare, a mental health app, found that 84 percent of mental health advice on TikTok is misleading, and 14 percent of those posts contain potentially harmful misinformation. And it’s not just TikTok influencers who are sharing unhealthy advice. It occurs on Instagram, Facebook, and all the other social platforms, too.

As I discussed in a recent episode of the Mentally Stronger podcast, the increase in mental health conversations over recent years has some downsides. When popular yet harmful advice spreads across social media, it can leave people feeling misguided—or even worse, stigmatized or unsupported.

Here are 10 common mental health messages floating around social media that deserve closer examination and why you might want to think twice before acting on them.

1. “Whatever happens, take responsibility.”

At first glance, this advice can sound empowering. But in reality, taking responsibility for things outside your control is counterproductive and can harm your mental health. Research links excessive responsibility to an increased risk of PTSD and depression.

Therapy often involves helping people untangle this type of unhealthy thinking and stop blaming themselves for circumstances they had no control over, such as childhood trauma or other people’s actions. Healthy mental strength means recognizing what you are responsible for—and, just as importantly, what you are not.

2. “Being physically fit means you’re mentally strong.”

While exercise is beneficial for both physical and mental health, someone’s physique or workout ethic isn’t automatically an indicator of mental strength. Many people who appear physically fit struggle with mental health challenges. Exercise addiction, low self-esteem, or using fitness as a way to punish oneself are just a few examples that underscore this disconnect.

Mental and physical strength both require care and balance. True mental strength comes not from how much weight you can lift but from how effectively you manage your thoughts, feelings, and actions.

3. “You can’t love anyone until you love yourself.”

This phrase is often thrown around as an empowering truth, but it oversimplifies relationships. Many people learn healthy love not through self-love but from feeling loved by others. Research suggests that even having one loving adult growing up can teach children what love feels like, paving the way to learning self-love later in life.

It’s unfair to imply that those who struggle with self-love are incapable of loving others. A more compassionate message might be, “Learning to love yourself can make your relationships even stronger.”

4. “The ultimate goal is to make yourself happy.”

Happiness is a worthy pursuit, but focusing on happiness as an end goal is more likely to leave you feeling empty. Studies have consistently shown that people who prioritize gratitude, generosity, and contributing to others tend to feel happier than those who focus solely on achieving happiness.

Instead of making happiness the ultimate goal, focusing on kindness, personal growth, or making a meaningful impact often brings greater fulfillment—with happiness as an organic byproduct.

5. “Embrace loneliness because it means you’re connecting with yourself.”

This advice confuses the concepts of solitude and loneliness. While solitude—a deliberate choice to spend time alone—can be highly beneficial, loneliness can be deeply harmful to mental and physical health. Research shows that chronic loneliness can be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

The goal should be to foster meaningful connections with others rather than accept loneliness. True connection is the antidote to loneliness and an essential part of mental well-being.

6. “Stop doubting yourself.”

Eliminating self-doubt might sound empowering, but a little self-doubt can actually be helpful. Research shows that elite athletes who experience moderate self-doubt often outperform their overconfident peers. Self-doubt can motivate us to prepare thoroughly, double-check our work, and stay humble enough to grow.

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Instead of trying to silence your self-doubt, try working with it. Use it as a tool to keep your head in the game while building confidence at the same time.

7. “What other people think of you is none of your business.”

While this phrase might seem to encourage people to stop seeking validation, it can be taken too far. Ignoring all feedback may prevent personal growth. Constructive feedback from trusted individuals can be invaluable for learning how one’s actions affect others.

Balancing self-awareness and external feedback is key. Listening to trusted voices can help you build stronger relationships and make positive changes.

8. “Stop thinking you have social anxiety—it’s just the wrong people around you.”

This type of advice is harmful because it dismisses the reality of social anxiety disorder. True social anxiety goes beyond specific settings or groups of people; it’s far-reaching and not something that can be solved by simply adjusting the company you keep.

Blaming someone for their mental health struggles perpetuates stigma. Instead, it’s important to acknowledge that social anxiety is treatable through therapy, support, and gradual exposure to social situations.

9. “The only way to fail is to quit.”

While persistence is often admirable, sticking to an unachievable or harmful goal can be harmful. Knowing when to quit takes wisdom and courage.

Quitting can be reframed as choosing a different path or recognizing that a certain goal no longer aligns with your values. It’s not failure—it’s growth.

10. “People don’t abandon people they love—they abandon people they’re using.”

Ending a relationship doesn’t mean there’s a lack of love. Sometimes, people end relationships because staying involved isn’t healthy for either party. For example, a parent might stop enabling an adult child with a substance issue, not out of malice, but out of love and the need to preserve their own mental health.

It’s essential to view such decisions with nuance and compassion. There are countless reasons why relationships end, and most have little to do with “using” or “abandonment.”

Review Social Media Information Critically

Social media brings mental health advice directly to our feeds, making it more important than ever to critically examine what we read. Just because something is popular doesn’t mean it’s helpful—or true.

Before applying advice to your life, ask yourself whether it holds up to evidence or whether it oversimplifies a complex issue. If you’re unsure, consult with a mental health professional rather than relying on a meme or a viral post.

Mental strength isn’t about pushing yourself to follow the latest trend. It’s about learning to think deeply, approach life with balance, and build the skills to thrive in the face of challenges.

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