Mental wellbeing online - some thoughts

I wrote this a couple of years back, inspired by Charles Causley’s wonderful “Ten types of hospital visitor” but was too cautious to share it. Having seen some great posts recently about mental wellbeing online, I feel the time has come to air the thing.

Five types of Facebook commenter

The first type tells you that there’s nothing to worry about.
You’re overreacting.
Keep calm.
Carry on.
Stop fussing so much about nothing.
Here’s a picture of a man in a kilt.

***

The second points fingers and tells you that everything bad is the fault of them.
They belong to a different religion, support a different party, voted the wrong way, aren’t an ally.
This type likes to blame everything on them because it means not having to think too hard.

***

The third says that you’re not reacting in the proper way.
You’re sorry about the events in x but why aren’t you posting about the events in y?
You’re making a fuss about this topic but you really should be concerned about that topic.
Their reaction is more authentic than your reaction.
Their grief is more authentic than your grief.
They’ll never stop reminding you of the fact.

***

The fourth type changes its icon to whatever's trending and then goes back to self-promotion.
They’ve done their bit.

***

The fifth type listens.
It offers no advice.
It makes no pronouncements.
It soothes and comforts and says, “It’s okay to feel how you feel.”

There are not enough of the fifth type.