Influencer stories of mental health and young people
Our project explores how stories told by social media influencers (‘influencers’) can help young people or put them at risk as they gain awareness of, and respond to, challenges in mental health.
Knowing how to find and evaluate information about mental health is critical for young people, especially in the context of social media where there is a wealth of easily accessible information which varies in quality.
Influencers are among the most frequently followed accounts by young people in the UK. Mental health is often a topic discussed in the stories that influencers share via videos on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. These videos talk about mental health experiences using a mixture of facts, information and personal stories. We know very little about the quality of the mental health information influencers provide and the impact these stories have on young people’s knowledge, emotions, attitudes and behaviours (their mental health literacy).
Our research will develop resources to help young people better navigate mental health information provided by influencers It will also create resources to support families, educators and inform policymakers about influencers as a source of mental health information.
Partners
Project team
- Dr Ruth Page (PI)
- Dr Michael Larkin (Co-I, Aston University)
- Professor Paul Crawford (Co-I, University of Nottingham)
- Dr Alex Christiansen (Research Fellow, University of Birmingham)
- Dr Shioma-Lei Craythorne (Research Fellow, Aston University)
Outcomes
Key outcomes will include:
- Digital showcase and project conference held at the University of Birmingham in January 2026
- 4 or more journal articles
- Reports to our key partners to inform training for mental health practitioners
- Webinars for policy makers and for families
- Educational resources for the KS2 and KS3 curriculum
