Spotlight Session: Social Media and Mental Health

From The Mental Health & Pastoral Care Institute

Monday, 13 May from 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Join clinical psychologist, Leisa Aitken as she takes a look with us at social media and mental health.

Managing our use of social media well is crucial, especially in light of research demonstrating the significant part it can play in worsening mental health. Like all technology, it not only transforms the world, it transforms us as we use it, in ways we may not be aware of.

This talk explores some of the benefits and harms of social media, including from a Christian lens.

It is also an opportunity to reflect on ways it can colour our psychological experience of ourselves and the world, the data on its impact on young people, an assessment tool for social media addiction, and practical strategies to help manage excessive use in children and teenagers, as well as using it thoughtfully ourselves.

If you are experiencing financial hardship, and are keen to attend this seminar, we have a limited number of tickets available at the reduced price of $10. Please email us at mentalhealthinstitute@mac.edu.au and we will be happy to provide you with a code.

About our Guest Speaker

Dr Leisa Aitken is a Coaching and Clinical Psychologist who has been counselling and teaching for more than 25 years in private practice, workplaces, psychiatric hospitals, and churches. Her PhD explored The Psychology of Hope, observing hope through Western history in philosophy, theology and psychology, as well as delineating four attributes needed to experience hope. She is therefore also interested in everyday barriers to hope, and social media addiction is one that she sees commonly in her clinical practice. Leisa is married to Michael and they have two adult daughters and a 60kg Rhodesian ridgeback. To manage her own mental health, she paddles an ocean ski (surf ski designed to ride ocean swell) on the beautiful Northern Beaches of Sydney.