A new investigation has uncovered that over half of the top 100 TikTok videos tagged with #mentalhealthtips are spreading misleading or false information, sparking alarm among UK mental health experts and MPs. The videos, which collectively reach millions of viewers, often feature oversimplified tips and unverified health claims.
Out of 100 popular posts analyzed by professionals, 52 were found to contain some level of misinformation. Misleading advice ranged from using fruits in the shower to cure anxiety to promoting supplements without scientific backing. Some even suggested trauma could be healed in under an hour, dangerously oversimplifying complex mental health issues.
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Mental health professionals voiced serious concerns. Dr David Okai from King’s College London warned that casual misuse of medical terms like “anxiety” and “mental disorder” could lead to public confusion. Former health minister Dr Dan Poulter added that normal emotions were being wrongly labelled as signs of serious conditions, potentially trivializing real struggles.
While TikTok claims to direct users to official NHS content and remove harmful posts, critics argue the platform’s algorithm boosts emotional and often inaccurate content. MPs are now questioning the effectiveness of the Online Safety Act and pushing for stronger controls to prevent mental health misinformation from spreading unchecked.
