TikTok Brings Light to Global Mental Health with #MoveforMentalHealth Challenge

KUALA LUMPUR Oct 9 - TikTok, the leading destination for short-form mobile videos, has launched the “Move for Mental Health: Let’s Invest” challenge, working together with the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) and United for Global Mental Health (UnitedGMH).

The challenge aims to bring global awareness to the need to invest in mental health, a need made all the more acute by the COVID-19 pandemic and will take place in Malaysia from October 8-10 using the hashtag #MoveforMentalHealth.

With billions lacking access to appropriate mental health support, the WHO, WFMH, and UnitedGMH have come together to create the first truly global movement calling for greater investment in mental health. The TikTok community in Malaysia is encouraged to play sports, dance, go for a walk, or come up with their own ways to move this World Mental Health Day and film themselves moving for mental health in any way they would like.

"Globally there is not enough movement on mental health, despite the fact that close to one billion people across the world have a mental disorder,” said United for Global Mental Health's CEO and Founder, Elisha London. “Having faced years of chronic under investment, this World Mental Health Day we are coming together to #MoveforMentalHealth with TikTok's support because now more than ever it's time to invest so that everyone, everywhere has someone to turn to."

Celebrities such as Demi Lovato,  Selena Gomez, and Marshmello, have also joined the challenge.

Dévora Kestel, Director of the Mental Health and Substance Use Department at the World Health Organization said: “At WHO, we are delighted to see the commitment of TikTok in encouraging conversations and movement on mental health. Mobilization on a global scale can help drive the decisions that ultimately will lead to better mental health services when and where we need them.”

To wrap up the campaign, on Saturday, October 10, beginning at 10:00 p.m. Malaysian time, WHO’s Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, will be joined by world leaders, celebrities and mental health experts to talk about what we can all do to improve our mental health and how we can, collectively, help make sure that quality mental health care is available to everyone who needs it. The event will be livestreamed on TikTok.

The livestream will feature short videos showcasing how WHO and partners are working to improve people’s mental health around the world, celebrity testimonies, Q&As and performances, and statements of commitment from heads of state and government.

“2020 has upended many of our lives, forcing us to confront isolation during lockdowns and change our normal routine,” said Arjun Narayan, TikTok Director of Trust and Safety, Asia Pacific. “This World Mental Health Day, it’s more important than ever we increase awareness about mental health challenges and provide a platform where we can promote the safety and mental wellbeing of our users.”

TikTok has long been committed to fostering an environment that promotes good mental health. In Malaysia, TikTok has continued to serve as a platform for nonprofit bodies like Yayasan Generasi Gemilang (GG) to champion for necessary initiatives relating to important topics under the umbrella of cyber wellness, digital literacy, and more.

Additionally, with features such as Screen Time Management and Restricted Mode, users are empowered to focus on their digital wellbeing. TikTok’s comprehensive Privacy and Safety settings also allow users to decide who can follow them, send them messages or reactions, and set their account to private to avoid any unwanted solicitation. - DagangNews.com