Having a strong social network helps support your psychological health and keeps you mission ready. Feeling connected is especially important during tough times. However, frequent moves and deployments can make it hard to maintain close relationships. Fortunately, positive social media use can help you keep up with friends and family and get or give support when the going gets tough.

Positive Social Media Use

The following are positive ways you can use social media to support psychological health:

• Stay in touch with loved ones: this is especially important on deployment. Use social media to exchange updates. This can give you and your family a sense of comfort. It can also remind you to stay strong for those you care about.
• Find support during tough times: if you are struggling, you can use social media and apps to locate important psychological health resources.
• Settle in a new location: moves can be challenging for you and your family. Fortunately, using social media can help you learn about a new area. You can find entertainment and services, learn about community events, and join social groups. This can help your family quickly find a sense of belonging.
• Stay up to date on base and unit information: many installations and units have their own social media pages. These pages can help you learn about events, emergencies, deployments and more.
• Support fellow warriors: You may be the first line of support for fellow service members who are struggling. Share helpful resources on your social media profiles. Keep an eye out for posts that could mean a member of the military community, friend, family member is struggling. Reach out to support them. Even sharing something sympathetic can let them know you have their back.

Getting Care

Social media can help you locate resources and connect with care. The social connections you forge can even help you cope during difficult times and support your recovery after traumatic events. However, social media is never a replacement for formal care. If you have psychological health concerns because of your military service or home life, talk to a psychological health care provider. Connect with a provider by visiting your nearest military hospital or clinic. To locate care in your area, use TRICARE's hospital and clinic finder or call the MHS Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273) and press 1.

Staying Safe on Social Media

Even though social media has many benefits, you should be mindful of personal and operational security while using it:

• Stay informed of Defense Department, branch and unit policies.
• Update your operating system and web browser.
• Avoid sharing details like specific dates or locations.
• Be wary of mobile apps that mark or record your location.
• Stay current on privacy policies for each of the social networks you use.
• Keep electronics locked when not in use.
• Guard your passwords and change them frequently.

If you are feeling distress as the result of military service or other life stress, reach out for help. You can contact the Psychological Health Resource Center 24/7 at 866-966-1020 or use the live chat to confidentially speak with trained health resource consultants. You can also see a list of key psychological health resources below.

Additional Resources:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
• Military/Veterans Crisis Line, dial 988 and press 1 or text 838225
  o    In Europe, call: 844-702-5495 or DSN 988
  o    In the Pacific, call: 844-702-5493 or DSN 988
  o    In Southwest Asia, call: 855-422-7719 or DSN 988
• Military OneSource
• DOD Social Media Hub
• Army social media
• Navy social media
• Air Force social media
• Marine Corps social media
• National Guard social media
• Coast Guard social media
• Staying Connected Infographic

Sources:

1. Dell, L., Casetta, C., Benassi, H., Cowlishaw, S., Agathos, J., O'Donnell, M., ... & Forbes, D. (2023). Mental health across the early years in the military. Psychological medicine, 53(8), 3683-3691.
2. Weiss‐Dagan, S., & Taubman–Ben‐Ari, O. (2024). Perceived stress and personal growth following the transition to military service: The role of sense of coherence and perceived social support. Stress and Health, e3406.
3. Wood, A., Gray, L., Bowser-Angermann, J., Gibson, P., Fossey, M., & Godier-McBard, L. (2023). Social media and Internet-based communication in military families during separation: An international scoping review. new media & society, 25(7), 1802-1823.
4. Trail, T., Friedman, E., Rutter, C. M., & Tanielian, T. (2020). The relationship between engagement in online support groups and social isolation among military caregivers: longitudinal questionnaire study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(4), e16423.
5. Wiederhold, B. K. (2017). Beyond direct benefits: Indirect health benefits of social media use. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 20(1), 1-2. doi:10.1089/cyber.2016.29059.bkw