TikTok Mental Health Content Faces Critical Eye
A new investigation by The Guardian (published in People magazine on June 7, 2025) has uncovered a disturbing trend: 52 of the top 100 trending TikTok videos using the hashtag #mentalhealthtips were found to be spreading misinformation. Younger viewers, in particular, often rely on that content for guidance. However, these viral clips are usually based on simplistic fixes, unproven arguments, or flawed accounts. Now, mental health experts are sounding the alarm about the risk of viewers reading something into those moments, and then trying to diagnose themselves or not seeking required professional care.
What Type of False Information Is Circulating?
The deceptive content takes place in many formats. Some clips wrongly explain common feelings, such as fatigue or situational worry, as proof of conditions like depression or borderline personality disorder. In the words of Dr. Liam Modlin from King’s College London, this fad “pathologises everyday experiences,” and runs the risk of confusing vulnerable viewers. Others incorrectly use treatment terms — equating usual life challenges with medical situations, which obscures essential differences between typical emotional changes and a diagnosable psychiatric condition.
More alarming are the videos that offer “miracle cures” and purport to instantly cure anxiety, trauma, or depression with drinking herbal tea, eating a certain fruit, or journaling for brief periods. All of which is grossly insufficient for care related to trauma, and therefore wholly irresponsible.
Expert Warnings and the Risk of Self-Diagnosis
In this way, experts have expressed their fears that these quick-fix narratives can do real harm. Former UK health minister Dr. Dan Poulter said they “trivialize the life experiences of people living with serious mental illnesses”. He spoke about the danger in a person normalizing high levels of stress or transient feelings of sadness equating to something resembling a severe mental disorder. The risk increases when people try to manage very difficult conditions without help.
Tik-tok’s Reaction and How Platform Rules Matter
TikTok responded to that claim by defending its moderation efforts, saying 98% of harmful mental health misinformation is removed pre-‐notice. It also states it maintains partnerships with organizations like the WHO and NHS, adding health notices or linking users to credible mental health resources upon their search for related terms. However, experts argue that the platform still struggles with both the volume of content and the speed at which misinformation circulates.
The Bigger Picture: Echo Chambers and Algorithmic Risks
Another bigger concern is TikTok’s algorithmic structure. Once someone has engaged with mental-health-related clips, it’s likely that the platform’s “For You” algorithm will start serving more of the same, even if the content is outright misleading. This echo chamber effect can reinforce misbeliefs, particularly about vulnerable demographics who have limited access to traditional mental health care and are less likely to spot misinformation or even seek real help.
Why This Is Important
TikTok is very popular, particularly among younger users, so the issue of health misinformation on there is especially pressing. In a KFF poll from mid-2024, two-thirds of adults who use TikTok reported seeing content about mental health; more exposed in the 18–29 age group. While only a minority fully trust that information, some have been influenced to the degree that they will consult a doctor or begin therapy based on what they saw. This shows how much viral misinformation can impact decisions in healthcare.
Towards Better Solutions
It’s agreed that legislation like the UK Online Safety Act may just be a start and that improved fact-checking methods and content-warning practices are also required on platforms. Media literacy education, algorithmic transparency, and more social media companies partnering with mental-health professionals would be great steps forward. While TikTok has begun efforts to direct users to accurate information and remove harmful videos, the pace and volume of content mean vigilance is still required.
In essence, while TikTok can raise awareness and normalize mental health conversations, its platform architecture also facilitates spread of oversimplified or misleading advice. Platform accountability, public education, and professional oversight are needed to ensure viewers receive accurate, contextualized support, not half-baked health myths.
