Lately, Social Media has been growing a Social Conscience.

First, the I CARE movement designed an ‘I Care’ button as an alternative to the facebook ‘like’ button for  those moments when ‘like’ just doesn’t cut it. The button will be used to show support for social issues and charities, as well as more personal struggles such as those battling mental and physical illnesses. The button is currently in beta, but will soon be introduced worldwide to “connect people through issues and gain awareness to create action.”

Along the same lines, Facebook has recently paired up with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to address the recent cases of suicidal content on their site. As Healthline writes, Facebook hopes to encourage users battling depression or suicidal thoughts to seek proper help, as well as train others to respond appropriately to suicidal content posted on their friends’ pages. You can read more about the partnership, and find advice on how to deal with suicidal content, here.

I think both I CARE and Facebook’s new partnership are great examples of how social media can be used in a responsible and responsive way. Too often  the internet is criticized as an arena for anonymous bullying or poisonous material, but I always want to highlight ways social media and modern technology has created an area for community, support, and mental health care.

Have you seen recent ways social media has been used in positive and therapeutic ways? Has the internet ever helped you get through a rough patch?

The Naked Star  is given to a website or article that has shown awesome bravery in expressing truth in the areas of psychology, health, sexuality and/or culture.