It’s troubling that influencers who discuss body image, confidence, anxiety and depression have absolutely no professional background in mental health.
Though it’s accurate to call themselves a “mental health advocate” (aren’t we all?), it’s potentially crossing a boundary when these same individuals are dispensing mental health advice.
It’s fair to wonder why some of them don’t just get a relevant degree and then pursue a career in mental health counseling, since that’s their social media platform.
Then again, it’s easy to explain the “why” by considering how easy it is to make a living as an influencer.
Don’t Get It Mixed Up
I’m not talking about someone with a psychology degree and a past or present therapy practice who also happens to have a social media following.
There are influencers who indeed have plenty of formal training, even extensive research, in the mental health field.
But I’m talking about someone with no degree in psychology, social work or any other mental health related discipline, and no professional experience helping people navigate psychological problems.
Yet these individuals routinely dispense advice about how other people should think, feel, behave and approach their lives. This can get pretty nitpicky and come across as cherry-picked as well.
For example, an influencer will repeatedly slam the use of GLP-1 medications for weight loss, while at the same time, promote a spray tanner or concealer.
They are dictating that a woman shouldn’t take GLP-1s to feel better about their bodies, while posting videos on how a woman could feel better about her body by applying chemicals to her skin or flaunting a radiation-induced tan.
Personal Experience with Massive Insecurity
Having personal experience with insecurity doesn’t automatically make someone qualified to advise others on overcoming it.
In fact, consider the contradiction. An influencer might have a post telling followers how to develop confidence, stop worrying about what other people think, embrace themselves and avoid letting trivial circumstances affect their self-esteem.
Then, in the next post, that same woman is crying a river over some relatively inconsequential situation. There’s a name for this: First World problems.
One influencer went as far as getting teary eyed over the frustration of not knowing which clothes to stuff into her high-end suitcases for her vacation to another country.
There’s nothing wrong with crying. Everyone has emotional moments, and nobody needs to maintain a constant appearance of happiness or confidence.
But there’s a difference between sharing personal experiences and positioning yourself as someone who can teach others how to manage their mental well-being.
If someone is still struggling considerably with the very insecurities and emotional vulnerabilities they’re advising others to overcome, shouldn’t that at least raise questions about the advice they’re dispensing?
Let’s Look at Some Research
A 2024 scoping review published in Social Science & Medicine, titled Social media influencers and adolescents’ health, examined the growing influence of social media personalities on health.
Researchers identified several problems, including influencers lacking relevant expertise, promoting unrealistic body images, and distributing inaccurate diagnostic and treatment advice.
This creates an interesting problem when the person promoting body acceptance and psychological resilience is also someone whose own insecurities appear to dominate their online presence.
A 2024 study published in Learning, Media and Technology examined how female influencers discuss mental health.
Researchers found that influencers often blend the roles of friend and expert, using personal experiences and relatability to establish credibility with followers. (Wickström and Lind, 2024.)
And that’s precisely the concern. Being relatable isn’t the same as being knowledgeable.
Having experienced depression — especially over a situation that many others would be their dream experience — doesn’t make someone an authority on treating depression.
On the other hand, citing some research on effective ways to manage depression or self-worth can boost an influencer’s credibility.
For instance, there’s loads of science that show exercise, particularly strength training, works wonders for combating depression, anxiety, low self-worth and effectively grappling with unexpected stressors.
There is absolutely NO research supporting the claim that forcing oneself into a bikini will improve self-worth or the confidence to tackle life’s curveballs.
Having struggled with body image doesn’t qualify someone to counsel others about self-worth.
And having developed a following doesn’t establish psychological expertise.
In fact, you could get new followers just off of your trendy hairdo and cute face.
People can certainly share what has helped them personally.
They can discuss their struggles, encourage self-acceptance and point followers towards legitimate resources.
But there’s a line between sharing an experience and doling out mental health advice as though personal experience constitutes professional competence.
Research note: The strongest argument is not that an influencer who cries or displays insecurity is automatically unfit to speak about mental health.
Emotional struggles don’t disqualify someone.
The stronger argument is that personal experience, popularity, a pretty face, lots of money and even relatability are not substitutes for professional training, particularly when giving advice to psychologically vulnerable followers. The research supports that distinction.
Lorra Garrick is a former personal trainer certified by the American Council on Exercise. At Bally Total Fitness, where she was also a group fitness instructor, she trained clients of all ages and abilities for fat loss and maintaining it, muscle and strength building, fitness, and improved cardiovascular and overall health. She has a clinical diagnosis of ASD.
Top image: Magnific
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