CALIFORNIA, USA: TikTok and the World Health Organization (WHO) have partnered to promote mental health education content, including the work of an Oxford University professor.
The collaboration, which will last for a year, aims to share reliable mental well-being content and combat misinformation through WHO’s Fides Network—a community of healthcare professionals who are also TikTok creators.
Creators from the UK, US, France, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Mexico, and Brazil will develop and share evidence-based content on TikTok, covering mental well-being and related subjects. TikTok is also contributing approximately £2 million to support WHO’s efforts to destigmatize mental health issues and foster an informed, supportive online community.
Dr. Kirren Schnack, one of the healthcare professionals involved, has been creating mental health content on the platform. With over 20 years of experience, she holds a Practitioner Doctorate (PsychD) in Clinical Psychology from the University of Oxford. Dr. Schnack addresses topics like anxiety and loneliness on her TikTok, where she has 588,000 followers.
She expressed her enthusiasm about the project, stating, “I’m thrilled to be part of this initiative. It’s empowering to see TikTok and WHO unite a diverse group of healthcare creators to produce mental health content. This collaboration shows TikTok’s potential as a positive force in public health globally.”
Dr. Schnack noted that many people around the world lack access to mental health support, and platforms like TikTok can help fill that gap. She mentioned that the partnership will feature various campaigns focusing on issues such as loneliness, depression, and suicide.
Regarding the impact of social media on mental health, she said, “I believe social media can benefit people, but it can also pose challenges if users struggle to regulate their engagement. Excessive use that negatively affects mental health is a concern we can address through the platform.”
Dr. Schnack is also an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (AFBPsS), a designation that recognizes her extensive experience and contributions to the field of Clinical Psychology.
