LONDON – More than half of the 100 most popular mental health videos on TikTok contain misleading or false information, raising alarm among mental health experts and UK lawmakers, according to a recent Guardian investigation.
The study reviewed content under the hashtag #mentalhealthtips and involved analysis by psychologists, psychiatrists, and academics. Out of 100 videos, 52 were found to include inaccuracies, especially regarding anxiety, depression, trauma, and neurodivergence.
Some clips promoted unverified claims, such as the idea that eating an orange in the shower can reduce anxiety or that trauma can be healed in under an hour. Others mislabelled everyday emotions as symptoms of serious disorders, leading experts to warn about the spread of confusion.
Dr. David Okai from King’s College London cautioned that misusing terms like “anxiety” and “mental disorder” can distort public understanding. Similarly, psychologist Amber Johnston noted that oversimplified trauma advice risks minimizing the realities of complex conditions like PTSD.
Although TikTok claims to remove harmful content and promote NHS resources for mental health searches, critics say its algorithm often boosts emotionally charged misinformation. Former health minister Dan Poulter stressed that pathologizing normal emotions could trivialize real mental illnesses.
Lawmakers, including Chi Onwurah MP, expressed concern over the Online Safety Act’s effectiveness in tackling such content. Mental health professionals urge the public to seek evidence-based advice from certified health bodies and avoid relying solely on viral social media tips.