{"id":128424,"date":"2019-04-03T05:54:05","date_gmt":"2019-04-03T05:54:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.iium.edu.my\/?p=128424"},"modified":"2019-04-03T23:40:20","modified_gmt":"2019-04-03T23:40:20","slug":"the-two-sides-of-a-coin-of-social-media-in-handling-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.iium.edu.my\/?p=128424","title":{"rendered":"The two-sides of a coin of social media in handling mental health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Norashikin Azizan <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GOMBAK, 3 April 2019 – An awareness talk on social media and mental health held yesterday (2 April) had raised a serious issue cautioning young people that for all its advantages, social media is something of a double-edged sword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Amer Siddiq Amer Nordin, the guest speaker of the day, emphasised on the two sides of the platform in relating to mental health awareness. He said, \u0153Social media can affect your mental health,\u009d cautioning that \u0153it is here to stay, therefore, it is our job to embrace its benefits and be aware of its dangers\u009d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The talk entitled “Mental Health & Social Media” was conducted yesterday by Welfare of ICTSS, 18\/19, here in IIUM Gombak campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Amer further outlined the relationship between social media and depression and their link to suicide. He said, \u0153One clear link and association that can be established is that the quality of interaction on social media platform which led to either positive or negative effects to the users.\u009d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He then shared his own experiences on handling negative response and comments on his Facebook page. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This awareness talk was held in conjunction with IIUM Health\nAwareness Week 2019. It is a week-long campaign that promotes the importance of\nthe well-being of a person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"

Dr. Amer Siddiq was explaining on the depression rate among Malaysians <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The guest speaker, who is also the Director of UM Centre for Community & Sustainability Centre (UMCARES), then suggested the possible explanation for social media and internet use-based depression. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0153Firstly, depression and anxiety can cause technology addiction and\ndependence.\u009d He mentioned that the wide usage of smart phones and gadgets\naround the world has contributed to this predicament. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0153Next, technology can cause depression.\u009d The speaker added the\nsecond reason, pointing the sleep deprivation suffered by Internet users who\nare prone to depression. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0153Last but not least, bidirectional relationship that governs people who uses social media as an escape from life problems.\u009d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The very short but insightful talk has given numerous benefits to the participants including the means to reach for help regarding mental health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The speaker listed Befrienders KL as one of the non-profit agencies that can be reached. He also recommended a podcast series and radio channels for those who refuse to have face-to-face interaction. The link to the podcast: http:\/\/Play.raku.my\/mentalmalaysia<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"

During the Q&A Session <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A Question and Answer session ended the 45-minute talk held in Main Auditorium. ***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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