Promoting youth well-being: a qualitative study of Finnish YouTubers' mental health content

Social media has become an integral part of young people's daily lives. Influencers, such as YouTubers, can serve as role models who shape their followers' perceptions and management of mental health. This study analyzes the mental health content and characteristics of popular Finnish YouTubers who, except one, were not mental health professionals and were not primarily identified as health influencers. Data were collected from 19 YouTube channels between April 2023 and April 2024. Using qualitative descriptive analysis, we examined 1 987 vlogs, 161 of which contained mental health content. The YouTubers predominantly shaped their personal mental health challenges through recovery narratives. Emotional self-disclosure fosters authenticity, strengthens the parasocial relationship, and positions the YouTubers as both peer supporters and experiential experts. Anxiety and depression were the most frequently discussed mental health topics, along with panic disorder, eating disorder, physical appearance, and self-esteem. They offered numerous tips for supporting mental well-being, highlighting the importance of not being alone, seeking help, and promoting self-compassion and self-care strategies in alignment with positive psychology principles. These findings deepen our understanding of how mental health information can be communicated in ways that resonate with young people, providing them with valuable resources for social support and mental health promotion. Collaborating with YouTubers in health campaigns and interventions can help health promotion organizations reach young people who may be less receptive to traditional programs, ultimately contributing to greater mental health equity.