In order to preserve our mental health, experts call in an open letter to abandon social networks for real life.
Faced with the increase in suicides in the United States, experts recommend abandoning social networks in favor of real emotional ties. In an open letter published in The Lancetthey thus advise depressed people to favor outings with family, friends, or even joining a sports club, for example. “Instead of relying solely on medication or individual psychological treatment, clinicians should also look to real social connections,” say the experts.
The total suicide rate of the United States has increased by 31%
The total suicide rate in the United States has risen 31% from 10.7 to 14 per 100,000 people over the past two decades. It is almost four times higher among men (22.4 per 100,000 in 2017) than among women (6.1 per 100,000 in 2017). In particular: financial difficulties, unemployment, drug and alcohol abuse, divorces and rural isolation.
“In a hyperconnected world, real social ties are eroding, with depression and suicidal behavior becoming more common than before,” the letter’s authors lament. “Despair and distress can spread through social media,” adds Professor Tarun Bastiampillai, from Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health.
Social comparisons
A recent study has indeed revealed that consuming less social networks leads to a significant decrease in depression and the feeling of loneliness among young people. These effects were especially pronounced for people who were most depressed.
“It’s a little ironic that by reducing your use of social media, you’ll feel less alone,” said Melissa G. Hunt, director of the study. But “there are a lot of social comparisons. When you look at other people’s lives, it’s easy to conclude that it’s cooler than yours,” she adds. “When you’re not busy with social media, you actually spend more time on things that are more likely to make you feel better about your life,” says the psychologist.
In 2017, nearly 7% of French people aged 18 to 75 said they had already attempted suicide, i.e. nearly 3 million adults in France. With 4.7% of respondents claiming to have thought about ending their lives in the last 12 months, and 0.39% to have tried to do so, France remains one of the countries with the highest suicide rates. highest in Europe. In fact, there are nearly 9,000 suicides a year.
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