Since the pandemic started, I keep telling myself I should ditch social media.
Life is stressful enough right now, who needs political fights, shade tweets, and “highlight reel” posts to fuel anxiety and FOMO? But let’s not kid ourselves, that probably won’t happen. I need social media for work, and there are parts of online connection that I do enjoy.
Instead, I’ve made it a point to tweak my feed so it’s filled with accounts that add positivity to my scrolling and offer guidance on how to take care of my mental health.
Here are a few Charlotte-based mental health content creators that I love following on Instagram, in no particular order.
@NedraTawwab
More than 529,000 people follow licensed therapist Nedra Tawwab on Instagram, using her account for tips on a variety of mental health-related topics, particularly boundary-setting.
Why you should follow her: Check out her posts on boundaries if you’re struggling with your Covid comfort levels or need to learn how to stop checking work e-mail at all hours just because your house is now your office, too.
On mental health and social media: “Knowledge is the key to healing and growth. People must have access to tools, and Instagram is an access point. Some will go to therapy, and for those who won’t, they’ll have the ability to use information from Instagram.”
@HealthyEaton
Samantha Eaton dishes up (see what I did there?) practical tips to shift your mindset and improve your relationship with food.
Why you should follow her: To be kinder to yourself about what you are or aren’t eating during this stressful time in order to enjoy a healthier, more natural relationship with food.
On mental health and social media: “This kind of content is a bit taboo in the health and nutrition space, but mindset is commonly the number one thing holding you back from achieving your goals. With this approach, you won’t find those ‘ASAP’ results other approaches might deliver, but if your mindset isn’t aligned, it’ll sabotage those results anyway.”
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@DinaGambellaLMFT
Dina Gambella is a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes both in eating disorders and in relationships.
Why you should follow her: Her aesthetically pleasing feed is filled with confidence-inspiring mantras to take with you through the day, regardless of whether you’ve showered yet.
On mental health and social media: “Any raising of awareness helps reduce the stigma associated with mental health treatment. It’s especially important in times like these when isolation and anxiety are at the forefront.”
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@TheWellTherapist
Alyse Bone is the wellness psychotherapist behind The Well Therapist. Her Instagram account is filled with calming colors and a mixture of ideas to ponder, plus informational videos.
Why you should follow her: Alyse’s account offers doses of daily inspiration, plus longer videos for those still trying to get comfortable with the concept of therapy.
On mental health and social media: “Many individuals, especially the BIPOC population, do not understand the importance of attending to mental wellness, which impacts your whole person. To put it simply, to improve and maintain quality of life, prioritizing wellness, especially mental wellness, will be a journey, not a destination. The way we think impacts our entire life on a daily basis.”
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@WesleyAnneLittle
Wesley is a licensed marriage and family therapist who works primarily with couples. In addition to her Instagram, her website also has useful videos, articles, and other resources if you’re looking to boost your relationship or work through a particular issue.
Why you should follow her: Undoubtedly, the current state of the world is impacting your relationships in some way. Wesley’s Instagram feed is filled with questions to consider and quick tips that can help keep your connection healthy, no matter what’s going on around you. Her presence is soothing, so though her videos tackle tough subjects, you feel like you’re hearing the information from a friend who has your best interests in mind.
On mental health and social media: “On one hand, I don’t want people to think that healing is as easy as following steps and quick tips. On the other hand, I think that having reminders and bite-sized information that helps you choose a healthier path can be really helpful for all of us. Just like healthy eating, relational health is a lifestyle and something that takes a lot of small, better decisions.”
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@Rwenshaun
Rwenshaun Miller is a licensed psychotherapist. He’s open about his journey with bipolar disorder, and can speak both as a mental health professional and someone who’s intimately familiar with the challenges his clients may face. Rwenshaun’s created a journal to help others understand the triggers and situations that contribute to the ebb and flow of their own mental health.
Why you should follow him: His vulnerability is empowering, and his account is filled with prompts and tips to help you improve your daily mental health.
On mental health and social media: “This content is necessary to display as a Black man in order to showcase that although we tend to shy away from the conversation on mental health, it’s important to address.”
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I am still working on this lesson. What will you say no to today? This week? #WhyEustressin
@Rachel_Tenny
Rachel is an artist and a therapist who creates work that packs a meaningful punch aimed at helping her followers prioritize their worth and mental health.
Why you should follow her: Her mixture of cheery art and day-brightening posts are a much-needed break from the doomscrolling you’ve been doing lately.
On mental health and social media: “My hope in sharing what I do is that it reminds others that they aren’t alone. Their mental well-being matters just as much as their physical well-being. I share a mix of art and therapy tidbits to bring awareness and support to people who may not be able to access therapy, or may find it intimidating to do so.”
