Post shares how antidepressants can increase dehydration risk
Other conversations focused on new CDC data showing improvements in adolescent mental health—but increased reports of violence in schools.
Other conversations focused on new CDC data showing improvements in adolescent mental health—but increased reports of violence in schools.
This past week, an Instagram post warning that SSRIs and SNRIs—two classes of antidepressant medications—can increase heat sensitivity and dehydration risk drove the largest spike in online conversations about mental health. Additionally, several news articles shared new findings from the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report, which suggest that some areas of adolescent mental health are improving. The articles also highlighted the need for more mental health support for all adolescents, particularly LGBTQ+ adolescents.
As high temperatures continue in some parts of the country, communicators can respond by sharing tips about avoiding dehydration and heat-related illness for people taking antidepressants. Additionally, discussions about new mental health data show the need for mental health resources for adolescents and their caregivers, especially with many students preparing to head back to school.
Insights brought to you by the reporters and science writers of Public Good News (PGN), a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to improving community health.
What’s trending nationally in conversations about mental health
On August 11, a popular mental health education Instagram account shared a post accurately warning that people who take certain classes of antidepressants are at higher risk of dehydration and heat-related illness. The post received approximately 11,600 likes and 200 comments as of August 14. Many comments said they were unaware of this risk, and some questioned why their health care providers had not shared this warning when prescribing their medication.
New data from the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report found that between 2021 to 2023, there were early signs that adolescent mental health was improving overall and that Black adolescents reported fewer suicide attempts in 2023 than in 2021. However, reports of violence in schools increased during that time frame, and girls and LGBTQ+ students were more likely to report missing school due to safety concerns. Several news articles covered the report’s findings, stressing that despite some improvements, adolescent mental health remains poor, and LGBTQ+ adolescents continue to report higher rates of hopelessness than their cisgender, heterosexual peers. Most comments on these articles suggested that social media has contributed to poor mental health in adolescents.
Recommendations brought to you by the health communication experts behind Infodemiology.com.
Recommendations for public health professionals
Each week, 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.
In light of trending conversations about some antidepressants increasing heat sensitivity, people who take these medications may have questions about how they can prevent dehydration and heat-related illness. Messaging may emphasize that many medications can increase heat sensitivity, including SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines, antihistamines, beta blockers, diuretics, and antiplatelet drugs. Explaining that people who are on these medications should continue taking them as prescribed by their health care provider is recommended. Sharing tips for preventing dehydration and heat-related illness is also recommended.
Recent news articles covering adolescent mental health provide an opportunity to recirculate mental health resources for young people, such as sliding scale therapy, support groups, and local mental health centers. Sharing websites where caregivers of adolescents can search for local therapists who specialize in adolescent mental health, LGBTQ+ identity, racial identity, and other population-specific issues is recommended. Highlighting suicide warning signs in adolescents and sharing local and national mental health resources—including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and the Trevor Project’s crisis support line for LGBTQ+ young people—is recommended. Communicators may also recirculate social media safety tips for adolescents and their caregivers.