World Mental Health Day is today, and to mark the day, TikTok is announcing a set of new features focused on support: Greater access to support organizations for mental health support and programs for creators geared towards encouraging content around mental wellbeing.

While on this string of support, TikTok added a new feature: when users in the app search for terms related to mental health, they are now redirected to information provided by the National Institute of Mental Health and the Cleveland Clinic on searches related to depression, anxiety, autism, or trauma.
The new search prompts will direct users to more information and insight through trusted third parties and, where appropriate, to access in-person support options as well.

These extra guidance prompts may prove useful for those in a mental health crisis, so more people get help when they need it most.

TikTok says that when fully rolled out, the program will encompass support and resources for 40 neurological conditions and mental health illnesses through various providers.

TikTok is also opening up its user community to share their personal stories and journeys to well-being by making use of the hashtag #MentalHealthAwareness.
This will also include input from mental health advocates and support organizations in order to further link users to other knowledge and resources that could be useful to them in helping themselves.

TikTok has also collaborated with the Rare Impact Fund by sponsoring the first "Rare Impact Fund Benefit," a donation the company made in the amount of $250,000.

A week later, on October 4th, took place The Benefit, which raised funds and publicized how important organizations are that improve access to mental health services and education for young people all over the world. The Rare Impact Fund is another initiative by Selena Gomez in her efforts toward mental health and self-acceptance.

In addition to these initiatives, TikTok will also expand resources and tools on its digital wellbeing hub to offer more avenues for those with mental health concerns.

All social apps focus on this area as a key point. Variance in different studies shows that social media usage can lead to negative mental health outcomes, mainly in younger users. Continuous comparison to peoples' highlight reels of their lives can be very misleading, leaving people feeling that they are failing or not keeping up with social norms when in reality most people do not share their darker days, which we all have.
This is important to remember, and so, too, are the tools and processes that need to be available on the platforms themselves to support their users in times of potential negative pressure that can foster experiences deemed troublesome.