Study linking teen marijuana use to mental health conditions sparks concern

Plus, posts highlighted National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

A February JAMA study linking teen marijuana use to mental health conditions later in life fueled online discussion over the past two weeks, with many commenters expressing concern for teens who use the drug. Other posts called attention to National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, and a lawsuit against Meta sparked conversation about how social media may impact youth mental health.

In response, communicators may share information about marijuana’s impact on mental health and recirculate ED recovery and youth mental health resources.

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What’s trending nationally in conversations about mental health

On February 20, JAMA published a study finding that marijuana use during teen years significantly increases the risk of psychosis, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety in young adulthood. Some social media posts discussing the study garnered hundreds of thousands of views as of March 3. Most commenters were unsurprised by the study’s results and shared personal stories about being diagnosed with mental health conditions in adulthood after using marijuana early in life. Some encouraged parents to look for the signs of mental health conditions in their teens and young adults, especially if they use marijuana. Others suggested that concerns about marijuana and mental health are overblown.

Between February 23 and March 1, posts across platforms highlighted National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. On February 26, singer Demi Lovato shared an Instagram post about her experience with disordered eating, garnering hundreds of thousands of likes as of March 3. Commenters expressed support for people with EDs, highlighted the wide range of EDs, and emphasized that EDs can affect people of all ages, genders, and body sizes.

On February 18, Meta CEO and co-founder Mark Zuckerberg testified in a trial that accused Meta of designing Instagram features that addict youth, leading to mental health conditions. Then, on February 26, Instagram announced that the app will alert the parents of children and teen users who repeatedly search for terms associated with self-harm and suicide. In response to both news stories, social media users expressed concern about the mental health risks of social media use during childhood and adolescence. Many cited stories about children and teens who experienced mental health symptoms or died by suicide after excessively using Instagram and other social media apps. Others alleged that social media apps are no more dangerous to mental health than video games or television and downplayed the mental health risks associated with youth social media use.

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Recommendations for public health professionals

The Infodemiology.com team will provide messaging recommendations in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. These helpful tips can be used when creating content, updating web and FAQ pages, and developing strategy for messaging about mental health.

Given concerns about how teen marijuana use can harm mental health now and in the future, communicators may explain the risks, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Messaging may include mental health warning signs in teens and young adults, the signs of marijuana use in teens, and tips for how caregivers can talk to teens about mental health and drug use.

While National Eating Disorders Awareness Week has ended, the attention it generated provides an opportunity for ongoing messaging. Communicators may outline the types of EDs, their warning signs, and treatment resources. Messaging may direct people to local ED treatment centers and support groups; Project HEAL, which helps people overcome financial barriers to ED treatment; and ANAD, which offers free ED support groups and connects people to treatment. Communicators may also want to share ANAD’s free ED helpline (888-375-7767), which connects people to trained volunteers who can provide emotional support and treatment referrals on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT.

Worries about youth social media use and mental health are ongoing and highlight a need for continued messaging for educators, caregivers, and youth directly. Communicators may highlight the mental health risks of youth social media use and share tips for helping youth use social media safely. Messaging may also include general mental health resources geared toward youth, including the peer support hotline YouthLine and the Trevor Project’s hotline for LGBTQ+ youth.