Navigating the Online “Jungle” of Mental Health Information
Recently, I wrote a blog post recommending podcasts and videos that have supported my mental health. The more I thought about those recommendations, the more I wondered: Are these “legit” sources of information? Would I be harming anyone by sharing them?
This inspired me to find out more about the impact of mental health information being easily accessible online and how to properly navigate this space.
The online “jungle” of information
Senior consultant psychiatrist Dr Victor Kwok described in an interview that social media is akin to a “jungle”. This vivid analogy immediately expanded in my mind, making me picture the entire online landscape as a dense tangle of information—from social media posts and videos, to websites, podcasts, forums, and even emerging AI platforms. Users must navigate this digital terrain without much support, hacking through metaphorical "curtains of hanging vines" designed to obscure and sidestepping “thorny branches” that threaten to hurt, all in search of truly helpful information. And sometimes, they do so unaware of the dangers lurking in the shadows.
For one, this online “jungle” is filled with misleading or even harmful information. Of the 500 TikTok videos analysed in a study, 83.7% dished out misleading mental health advice, especially for conditions such as ADHD, bipolar disorder and depression. What’s more, 14.2% shared potentially damaging information (PlushCare Content Team, 2025).
Then, there’s the self-diagnosing trap. Solely relying on uncurated online information without professional guidance can lead individuals to label themselves or try to self-medicate, rather than properly addressing their mental health needs (Colburn, 2024; Martin, 2023).
Talk about dangers lurking, indeed.
All this does not even include the recent explosion of AI online. People are now turning to AI-powered mental health chatbots for companionship and support. Some have even been using generative AI, like ChatGPT, as their “informal therapist”. However, AI’s limitations seem to far outweigh its benefits at this point, with research showing that you cannot rely on it for accurate diagnosis, culturally appropriate advice and genuine emotional engagement (Wang et al., 2025).
Still, despite the alarming statistics and negative impacts mentioned above, I believe that the online “jungle” of mental health information has more to offer.
These online sources of information have the potential to help:
Raise awareness, challenge myths and reduce stigma of people with mental health conditions (Carrotte & Phillips, 2023).
Reach a wider and younger audience (Edison Research, & Triton Digital, 2021).
Provide support and create a sense of belonging through lived experiences (Carrotte & Phillips, 2023; Martin, 2023).
And even make people laugh and raise their spirits, as in the case of humorous mental health memes.
This means that any person navigating this “jungle” can also discover some beautiful flora and fauna, hear the birdsong and get to breathe in moments of fresh air…so long as they stay mindful and avoid any “predators” or “traps” (because sometimes, even a joke can be taken too far).
In light of this, how can we reap the benefits of an online treasure trove of information and supportive community, while staying vigilant about what we’re engaging with, especially on social media?
Here are some tips for doing so:
Evaluate your sources
A website or channel curated by a credible organisation can provide more reliable information than an Instagram account managed by an unknown user. Forums such as Reddit can offer moral support and a space to exchange ideas, but keep in mind that behind every comment is an anonymous user whose intentions and background are unknown. For a handy guide on checking sources, you can refer to this tip sheet from School Mental Health Ontario (2025).
Ask yourself the following:
Am I looking for facts, explanations, strategies, or am I seeking something more personal, such as an opinion piece?
How can I cross-check the information? Can I check with a qualified professional or another credible source?
Is this source tingling my “spidey-senses”? Is it selling me a ”quick fix” or “miracle cure” that is too good to be true?
Bring awareness to what you are doing
Check in with yourself—your mood, feelings, physical state—to see if you are ready to process the information on the screen. Sometimes, you might not be in the right headspace for scientific facts or resources, but are keen to hear from individuals with lived experiences. These might show up on a completely different platform.
Also, reflect on your motivation for seeking information. Some people look things up to learn more about a certain condition or symptom. Others might do extensive googling or scrolling as a way to seek assurance (Nur, 2024), or avoid facing difficult emotions (Neelam, 2023). Bring some awareness to your own actions and intentions, so that you can decide if seeking information in this time, place, and manner is the most suitable for managing your mental health needs.
Ask yourself the following:
Why am I looking at this piece of information? How am I feeling right now?
Is there a more suitable time or place for me to comprehend this information?
Is this a helpful way to meet my mental health needs, or am I at risk of certain unhelpful behaviours (e.g., self-diagnosing, intellectualising, avoidance)
When should I seek help from a qualified mental health professional?
Take action beyond consuming
With such convenient access to online information, it’s too easy to consume content and not apply any of it in real life. If you find yourself mindlessly scrolling without doing anything about the information, you could be stuck in some sort of avoidant behaviour (Smarmore Rehab Clinic, n.d.).
One way to get unstuck is to think about how you can apply what you have read, watched or listened to. Reflect on how applicable it is to your life, and see how you can plan a tiny experiment around it. Of course, this is only suitable if the information you come across is evidence-based and a clear match for your condition and needs. Taking action could sometimes also mean making an appointment to see a healthcare professional for advice.
Ask yourself the following:
How do I feel about the information? Which keywords or phrases stand out?
How can I apply this information in my life? Is it applicable at all?
How can I deepen my understanding of this topic? Who can I discuss this information with further?
If this is a valuable, credible source, how can I share it to help raise awareness or debunk myths?
In Summary
The content and medium you engage with should always align with your needs and intention. This applies when you are reading my blog post on recommended podcasts and videos, as well as any other content online. What we encounter on the internet can bring great benefits, but it can also be very damaging if not engaged with care and consideration.
As you navigate this “jungle” of information, be open—but also discerning—so you can find what truly supports you and your mental health. Remember that information from online platforms is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you find yourself needing support, don’t hesitate to seek out a qualified mental health professional to ensure that you receive the best care for your needs.
For more information and sharings from the Calm Collective community, check these out:
References
Carrotte, E., & Phillips, L. (2023, May 29). 'It’s actually a human person, undergoing real emotions': how podcasts can impact attitudes around mental health. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/its-actually-a-human-person-undergoing-real-emotions-how-podcasts-can-impact-attitudes-around-mental-health-203241
Colburn, S. (2024, March 20). The dangers of self-diagnosing your mental health. Nationwide Children's Hospital. https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/700childrens/2024/03/the-dangers-of-self-diagnosing-your-mental-health
Edison Research, & Triton Digital. (2021). The Infinite Dial 2021. https://www.edisonresearch.com/the-infinite-dial-2021-2/
Martin, J. (2023, April). The big issue: Mental health and the TikTok effect. Therapy Today. https://www.bacp.co.uk/bacp-journals/therapy-today/2023/april/the-big-issue/
Neelam, R. K. (2023, September 18). Signs you’re intellectualizing instead of feeling your feelings. Charlie Health. https://www.charliehealth.com/post/signs-youre-intellectualizing-instead-of-feeling-your-feelings
Nur, F. F. (2024, October 31). Is consuming mental health content on social media good or bad? The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/is-consuming-mental-health-content-on-social-media-good-or-bad
PlushCare Content Team. (2025, January 8). How accurate is mental health advice on TikTok? PlushCare. https://plushcare.com/blog/tiktok-mental-health/
Smarmore Rehab Clinic. (n.d.). 12 ways to overcome your mindless scrolling habit. https://www.smarmore-rehab-clinic.com/addiction-resources/12-ways-to-overcome-your-mindless-scrolling-habit/#what-causes-mindless-scrolling
School Mental Health Ontario. (2025, March 18). Is it for me? Tips for evaluating online mental health information. https://smho-smso.ca/online-resources/is-it-for-me-tips-for-evaluating-online-mental-health-information/
Wang, L., Bhanushali, T., Huang, Z., Yang, J., Badami, S., & Hightow-Weidman, L. (2025). Evaluating Generative AI in Mental Health: Systematic Review of Capabilities and Limitations. JMIR Mental Health, 12(1), e70014. https://doi.org/10.2196/70014