NAMI NextGen member Daniella Ivanir interviews Ava Smithing, a youth advocate for safer tech and youth mental health. Ava shares what it was like growing up as part of the first social media generation, her struggles with online harms, and the turning point that led her to protect future generations. They discuss the toll of advocacy, pushing back against profit-driven systems, and mobilizing a youth-led movement.

Produced by Daniella Ivanir, Haley Amering, and Brad Gage

Compared to other generations, I think youth have come a very long way in acknowledging and working to better mental health. However, there are certain trends we see on social media with good intentions, but harmful consequences. Today we’re talking about self- diagnoses of mental illnesses and the prominence of “therapy speak.”

We had the pleasure of talking with Lorenzo Lorenzo-Luaces who is Associate Professor Psychology at Indiana University, and is giving their input on the subject. Those on tiktok and other social media platforms have likely seen some version of both these things, but why are these harmful and what can we do to address them? It’s an important area of mental health to discuss because of its incredible accessibility, and one doesn’t even need to search to find information about it. While social media has done great things for advocacy and awareness, it may have gone too far, which we will discuss and think about on this week’s podcast!

Produced by: Alyssa Sawicki, Brad Gage, and Haley Amering

Edited by: Brad Gage