Each decade brings its own trends, but a change in time also evokes a change in nature.
Tanya Wojcik of TJW Counselling Services came into the myFM studio to discuss how modern “noise” from digital technologies has clouded mental wellbeing.
The advancement in cell phone technology for example has taken many processes and centralizes that into one device; phone calls, social media, news, email, internet-based messaging and entertainment have been packed into one device the size of a calculator that can fit in most pockets.
Being able to access multiple services from one device is convenient, but it also makes it convenient for noisemakers to make their presence known.
Wojcik has more than 20 years of experience being a social worker and now at the helm of TJW Counselling she said the mind takes top priority.
The Boston Children’s hospital conducted a survey with adolescents and their phone use; the findings are in this study.
According to the study 94 per cent of respondents have a cell phone for personal use; the study also highlights 47.5 of respondents check their phone at least every 15 minutes.
As a result of cell phone usage there has been direct impacts on the survey population’s mental wellbeing.
In regards to body image 40 per cent of respondents said social media is “neither better nor worse” for them, 9 per cent said it makes their body image “a little better” and 5 per cent said a lot better.
However, 25 per cent said it makes them feel “a little worse” and 21 per cent said “a lot worse.”
The same population also said screen time has a benefit to their wellbeing; according to the study over half of participants reported specific uses of screen media and specific screen activities were helpful to their overall wellbeing.
“Generally, the youth in our sample feel pretty positive about the impact this use has on their well-being; however, many acknowledged that it interferes with sleep, time with family, and schoolwork and social media was reported as contributing to worse body image,” the study said in its summary.
Wojcik said she doesn’t have one simple answer to people’s problems, but speaking out about it and taking the time to use local resources can go a long way.
She said one of the most important steps in healing is actually taking that first step to speak up about mental health concerns.
Wojcik also said taking care of oneself allows you to take care of others.
(Written by Mik Horvath)
