Identify a specific public health issue that you believe needs to be highlighted more in health policy  and discuss how social media can be used as a health promotion tool to improve public awareness on the selected healthcare issue.

Health care policy- *week 2-discussion 1

The public health issue I believe needs to be more prominently highlighted in health policy is mental health. Mental health issues are growing at an alarming rate, yet the lack of awareness and understanding of the disorder among the general population has resulted in a significant gap between those affected by it and proper treatment. Social media can be an effective tool for increasing public awareness on mental health, as platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram have wide reach virtually anywhere around the world. Through social media campaigns, individuals with mental disorders can share their personal stories to help others understand what they are going through. Furthermore, organizations like The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) use social media to educate people on different types of mental illnesses and provide resources to those who need help managing their condition. Additionally, celebrities can use their platform to spread mental health awareness by partnering with psychologists or psychiatrists in order to create meaningful content that helps destigmatize the conversation around these topics. Lastly, encouraging people to discuss their feelings openly encourages communication about difficult topics that may otherwise remain unspoken. Social media should continue being used as a platform for spreading knowledge and creating a safe space for those struggling with any type of mental illness or disorder.