New Year, New Me: 10 Mental Health Influencers to Follow in 2024
As we enter into the new year, the air is filled with aspirations of change and personal growth, often manifested through the time-honored tradition of crafting New Year’s resolutions. Amid the popular resolutions for physical fitness and career advancement, this year many are considering incorporating goals that prioritize and enhance mental well-being. The Global Burden of Diseases 2019 showed that mental disorders remained among the top ten leading causes of burden worldwide, with no evidence of global reduction in the burden since 1990.
Social media has proven to be an essential tool in spreading mental health awareness. In fact, in a survey conducted by StyleCaster, Mental., and the Mental Health Coalition it was found that 88% of respondents think that “social media raises awareness about mental health conditions.” More recently, there has been a rise in what is referred to as “Mental Health Influencers” who use their platform to further educate on topics surrounding mental health. To guide you through this journey, consider drawing inspiration from mental health influencers who share insights, strategies, and exercises to achieve your mental health goals. Here are 10 influencers who have shared their wealth of knowledge through their platforms to foster a mentally healthier and more resilient version of themselves.
Mental Health Influencers vs. Professionals in the Industry
Before delving into the list it is important to consider the difference between mental health influencers and professionals in the industry. Mental health influencers typically leverage their personal experiences, online platforms, and social media presence to share relatable stories, coping strategies, and self-help advice. They often connect with a wide audience and contribute to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health. Mental health influencers aim to educate their audience on the role mental health plays in their overall well-being and do so by making information more readily available on their platforms. However, it is important to note that not all mental health influencers are professionals within the industry. They may lack formal education and professional training, potentially offering subjective perspectives.
On the other hand, mental health professionals, such as psychologists, psychiatrists, and therapists, undergo extensive education and training to provide evidence-based assessments, diagnoses, and treatments. They offer clinical expertise and adhere to ethical standards in delivering personalized care. While influencers contribute valuable insights, mental health professionals bring a depth of knowledge and clinical skills necessary for comprehensive mental health support. It is essential to recognize the complementary roles each group plays in promoting mental well-being.
How the “Mental Health” Niche has Expanded Over Time
In recent years, there has been a notable shift in societal attitudes towards mental health, with increased awareness and a greater emphasis on well-being. This evolution has paved the way for the rise of mental health influencers as a niche within the influencer marketing realm. Mental health influencers leverage platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to share personal stories, coping mechanisms, and self-care tips. The relatability of these influencers, often rooted in their own struggles and triumphs, has resonated with a diverse audience, fostering a sense of community and connection. Mental health professionals have found a way to educate larger audiences through leveraging social media platforms as well. Additionally, brands have recognized the potential of mental health influencers to engage with audiences authentically. Collaborations between influencers and mental health organizations or brands that align with well-being have become more prevalent, contributing to a positive cycle of awareness and support.
10 Mental Health Influencers to Follow to Inspire Personal Growth
1. Nedra Glover Tawwab
Instagram: 1.8M Followers
TikTok: 15.5K Followers
X: 37.6K Followers
NYT best-selling author and therapist Nedra Glover Tawwab uses her platform and content to advise people to do some introspection on their personal boundaries and needs. Her book Set Boundaries Find Peace encourages her audience to maintain a balance through the use of healthy boundaries.
@nedratawwab Relationships change over time. #nedratawwab #nedranuggets #setboundariesfindpeace #dramafree #yntht #mentalhealth #selfcare #relationships #therapy ♬ original sound – Nedra Glover Tawwab, LCSW
2. Beth Evans
Instagram: 531K Followers
Beth Evans is an artist who aims to spread positivity and shed light on mental struggles through the use of her comics. She has put out several books showcasing her comics and her own unique struggles as she combats adulthood.
3. Dr. Justin Puder, Ph.D
Instagram: 252K Followers
TikTok: 683.7K Followers
As a licensed Psychologist and Therapist, Dr. Justin Puder aims to educate his audience on the world of mental health and the role of a therapist in that. His content while light-hearted, tackles several topics people can relate to and learn from.
@amoderntherapist Almost had me…🤣🤣🤨 #therapy #mentalhealth #tiktoktherapist ♬ original sound – haileena
4. Maddie Spear
Instagram: 11.7K Followers
TikTok: 311.6K Followers
As a Trauma Therapist, Maddie Spear focuses on addressing the intricacies of trauma through her content. Her goal is for her audience to achieve self-growth which looks different for everybody. Her content is highly relatable as she showcases her life inside and outside of being a therapist.
@therapy_thoughts I forgot…. #therapiststruggles #therapytok #mentalhealthmatters #tiktoktherapist ♬ original sound – Maddie, MSW, LCSW
5. Hannah Daisy
Instagram: 151K Followers
X: 2.1K
Hannah Daisy is an occupational therapist who educates through her digital illustrations. In addition to spreading more awareness about Occupational Therapy, Hannah’s illustrations depict highly relatable content that serves as reminders to her audience. Her series “Boring Self Care” showcases activities we often take for granted but serve a greater purpose of maintaining a healthier lifestyle.
6. Dr. Julie Smith
Instagram: 1.7M Followers
TikTok: 4.7M Followers
With 4.7 M followers on TikTok Dr. Julie’s content has been very well received over time. As a psychologist and author, she has a knack for explaining complex mental illness concepts with the use of metaphors and props. Her content covers numerous topics including depression and anxiety.
@drjulie Wait for it 😬 So many of us numb our emotion because the natural instinct is to push away anything painful or uncomfortable. You imagine that if you allow any of your emotions to surface, that they’ll all rise up and you’ll lose control of them, maybe even struggle to calm them again. This is a common fear that prevents many people from talking about how they feel or accessing therapy. But there is a misconception about how you work through trauma in therapy. A therapist will never ask you to bring up old wounds until they trust that you can manage those painful emotions safely. And one of the reasons that therapy takes time is that it’s not done all at once. Things are done at your own pace in a safe space and only when you both decide that you are ready. 👉More on this in my international bestselling book – Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? (Currently -50% see link in bio). Filled with insights from therapy about how to deal with real life problems. Available in over 40 languages 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 🇮🇳 🇨🇳 🇨🇦 🇦🇺 🇦🇱 🇧🇷 🇧🇬 🇭🇷 🇨🇿 🇩🇰 🇪🇪 🇫🇮 🇫🇷 🇩🇪 🇬🇷 🇭🇺 🇮🇸 🇮🇩 🇮🇱 🇮🇹 🇯🇵 🇱🇻 🇱🇹 🇲🇰 🇳🇱 🇳🇴 🇵🇱 🇵🇹 🇷🇴 🇷🇺 🇷🇸 🇸🇰 🇸🇮 🇰🇷 🇪🇸 🇸🇪 🇹🇼 🇹🇭 🇹🇷 🇺🇦 🇻🇳
♬ original sound – Dr Julie | Psychologist
7. Courtney Tracy
Instagram: 141K Followers
TikTok: 1.7M Followers
“The Truth Doctor” better known as Courtney Tracy is known for her straightforward approach to guiding her clients rather than sugarcoating their experiences. As someone who has struggled with mental illness herself, she relates to entering “survival mode”. Her authenticity in showcasing her own struggles has helped her grow as a mental health influencer.
8. Marcela Sabiá
Instagram: 45K Followers
Marcela Sabiá is a Brazilian illustrator who encourages mental health and body positivity through her digital art. Her content centers on the toll body image can take on one’s overall well-being. She encourages the celebration of different body types and empowers women accordingly.
9. Rachel Havekost, M.Sc.
Instagram: 49.8K Followers
TikTok: 267.2K Followers
After going through 19+ years of therapy Rachel Havekost was able to write a memoir about her own past struggles. Her authenticity has made her audience resonate with her content. As a content creator, she draws inspiration from her own experiences to further educate the public.
@rachelhavekost trying to remember it’s ok not to be ok.
♬ Heirloom – Joshua Kyan Aalampour
10. Cally Tate
Instagram: 546K Followers
Cally Tate is a digital artist who creates graphics surrounding the topic of mental health. As a mental health advocate, she uses her platform to remind people of their worth, the importance of reaching out, and how essential self-care really is.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these 10 creators have used their platform to amplify the importance of mental health. Whether they are professionals within the industry, drawing from their own experiences, or simply mental health advocates each influencer has leveraged their platform for a greater cause. Brands can use this as an opportunity to create potential partnership opportunities to further advocate for mental health. Interested in identifying more creators to partner with for a potential mental health campaign? Take a tour of our award-winning creator discovery features to find out more today!
