The Official College of Psychology in Santa Cruz de Tenerife has issued a public warning about the increasing spread of unverified mental health advice on social media. With countless influencers regularly sharing tips on anxiety, depression, and emotional wellbeing, professionals are urging the public to exercise caution and seek proper guidance from qualified experts.
Carmen Linares, dean of the College, expressed concern over the number of people sharing mental health content without formal psychological training. “We’re seeing more and more social media profiles offering daily advice based on personal experience or loosely linked scientific concepts that don’t always reflect real clinical practice,” she explained.
While these influencers often aim to be helpful, Linares stressed that their guidance may not be suitable for everyone. “What works for one person might not be appropriate for another. In some cases, following generic advice can actually do more harm than good,” she said.
A major issue, according to Linares, is that social media advice tends to ignore individual medical histories and personal contexts, factors that are essential in understanding and treating mental health issues. Without these, recommendations can be not only ineffective but potentially dangerous.
The College encourages anyone facing emotional or psychological challenges to consult a licensed mental health professional. Only qualified practitioners are equipped to provide tailored diagnoses and treatments based on evidence-based methods.
In addition, the College is urging users to critically evaluate the mental health content they come across online. They advise verifying the credentials of those giving advice and avoiding self-diagnosis or treatment based on social media trends.
As awareness of mental health continues to grow, professionals emphasise the importance of ensuring that support comes from trusted, accredited sources, not viral content.
