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Psychologist: The idea is good but problematic.
Of: Rosanna berg
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Photo: LOTTE FERNVALL
Therése Lindgren and Tjejzonen have started a support project.
The youtuber Therése Lindgren has started a course for other influencers to address problems related to mental illness.
Now the project faces criticism.
– I think it can be problematic to have a person who does not have a professional education, says Klara Edlund, licensed psychologist and associate professor at SVT.
Will influence Therese LindgrenThe 33-year-old is one of the largest YouTubers in Sweden with over a million subscribers. Now she, together with the support organization Tjejzonen, has launched a project that will help other influencers to be a support for their followers.
Therése Lindgren, who has been outspoken about her mental illness, says in an interview with SVT that she receives messages daily from girls who are unwell.
– It can be about anxiety and worry, or terrible stories about sexual abuse and suicidal thoughts, says Therése Lindgren.
– It is difficult to know how to deal with it, especially if you are not educated.
The purpose of the course is to provide social media influencers with tools so they can better respond, listen, and manage the stories and thoughts that come to them.
“It could be dangerous”
Klara edlund, a licensed psychologist and associate professor, tells SVT that she thinks the idea is a good one, but also criticizes people without professional education for handling such important problems and permits.
– You think you should be able to meet people who are not feeling well and who have questions about their state of mind. But I think it can be problematic to have a person who does not have a professional training. Sometimes the advice can be downright dangerous, he says.
Photo: LOTTE FERNVALL
“Young people turn to their role models on the Internet,” writes Therése Lindgren in an email to Aftonbladet.
“Important to spread knowledge”
In an email to Aftonbladet, Therése Lindgren writes that she agrees that professional help is important when it comes to mental illness.
“But the fact is that many young people turn to their role models on the Internet and seek support when they are not well,” he writes.
As proof of this, he writes that his inbox is filled with girls’ emails daily.
“That is why I think it is very important to spread knowledge and tools to influencers so that they have the right conditions to handle it. Being listened to and treated in the right way when talking about something difficult can be decisive in your daring to seek professional help in the next step, ”he writes.
Do you see any risks with this?
“Of course there is a risk of not seeking professional help when you feel bad, but I see nothing wrong with people who are often in contact with young people who feel bad are educated and get the right tools to deal with a existing problem. The best way possible “.
Carla da Costa Bengtsson The person in charge of Tjejzonen’s communications also wants to emphasize in the same email that “the method is a complement to public attention and is not intended to replace it.”
Since many young people are on digital platforms, it is important to receive the proper treatment there, he writes.
“If the person is treated nicely instead of being rejected, it increases the likelihood that the person will turn to others as well.”
Aftonbladet has searched for Klara Edlund.
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