How Digital Overload Is Fueling America’s Mental Health Crisis – And What You Can Do About It

How Information Overload Is Fueling America's Mental Health Crisis

In a powerful editorial for The Boston Herald , George Carroll—better known as Slaine, co-founder of Grand Rising Behavioral Health—delivered a timely and urgent message: America’s mental health is under siege, not just by the pressures of daily life, but by the endless stream of information pouring from our devices.

From fear-inducing headlines to toxic social media arguments, we are navigating a landscape saturated with anxiety—and it’s taking a real toll on our minds and bodies.

The Reality of the Mental Health Crisis

According to recent data cited in the article, one in four adults in the U.S. now lives with a mental illness. For younger adults, aged 18 to 25, that figure spikes to one in three. These numbers are more than statistics—they represent real people: our friends, our coworkers, our children, and ourselves.

This crisis didn’t emerge in a vacuum. We’re living in an era marked by financial instability, political unrest, global conflict, and public health emergencies. These stressors are real—but what makes them unmanageable is their constant digital amplification.

Our devices have become pipelines for panic. We use them for everything—work, family, social connection, even self-expression. But in between moments of productivity and communication, we are bombarded with misinformation, disinformation, emotionally charged content, and divisive rhetoric.

Information Is Everywhere—But Wisdom Is Scarce

We live in the Information Age, but it increasingly feels like the Disinformation Age. Our attention is constantly pulled in multiple directions by algorithms designed to keep us scrolling, swiping, and reacting.

As Slaine points out, the way we consume information today is vastly different from just a few decades ago. The news once arrived once or twice a day, giving us time to process, reflect, and respond. Now, we’re receiving updates 24/7, often in real-time, from thousands of sources—many of which are unverified or intentionally misleading.

Add to that the reality that more than 50% of Americans read below a sixth-grade level, and it becomes dangerously easy for false narratives and emotional manipulation to take hold. In an environment where nuance is lost, many are left vulnerable to fear-based content, tribalism, and psychological distress.

What Is Digital Trauma—and Are You Experiencing It?

At Grand Rising Behavioral Health, we’re seeing an increase in clients reporting symptoms that stem directly from digital trauma—a term that describes the psychological toll of constant exposure to emotionally distressing or triggering online content.

Symptoms of digital trauma may include:

• Persistent anxiety or panic after consuming news or social media
• Emotional numbness or dissociation
• Trouble sleeping due to nighttime scrolling or doomscrolling
• Avoidance of in-person interaction
• Heightened irritability or emotional reactivity
• Feelings of helplessness, fear, or rage about current events

Digital trauma is real. And because it’s silent and normalized, it often goes unaddressed. But ignoring the effects of digital overstimulation can lead to serious long-term consequences, including chronic anxiety, depression, and even burnout or substance abuse.

What Can You Do to Reclaim Your Mental Health?

Slaine’s article ends with a call to action—and it’s one we fully support: disconnect to reconnect.

Here are seven evidence-based strategies to help you take back control of your mind and your media habits:

1. Create a Digital Hygiene Routine

Just as you brush your teeth and shower daily, commit to “cleaning up” your digital habits.

• Use app timers to limit your social media use.
• Unfollow accounts that make you feel anxious or inadequate.
• Avoid news apps or notifications outside of designated hours.

2. Build Screen-Free Zones

Protect your peace by creating physical and mental boundaries around device use.

• Keep phones out of the bedroom.
• Schedule one day a week as a tech-free day.
• Establish no-screen times during meals or family activities.

3. Reconnect With Nature and Your Body

Time in nature and physical movement are proven to reduce cortisol levels and boost mental clarity.

• Go for a daily walk or run without your phone.
• Practice grounding exercises like mindful breathing or yoga in natural settings.
• Swap one scrolling session for a 10-minute outdoor break.

4. Consume Mindfully, Not Passively

Take ownership of what you feed your brain.

• Read long-form journalism instead of clickbait.
• Watch documentaries instead of doom-heavy reels.
• Fact-check news before reacting or sharing.

5. Talk to Someone

Mental health struggles don’t need to be faced alone. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or anxious—talking to a professional can help.

At Grand Rising Behavioral Health, our licensed clinicians offer individual and group therapy designed to help you process today’s challenges while building resilience for tomorrow.

6. Prioritize Sleep and Nutrition

An overstimulated mind can’t rest, and a neglected body can’t heal. Try to:

• Stop screen use at least one hour before bed.
• Limit caffeine and alcohol, especially at night.
• Eat balanced meals to stabilize your mood and energy.

7. Replace Consumption With Creation

When we create—whether through music, writing, art, or cooking—we shift from passive consumers to active participants in our lives.

• Journal your thoughts instead of tweeting them.
• Paint or play music to express your emotions.
• Volunteer or garden to reconnect with purpose and community.

It’s OK to Unplug

As Slaine wisely wrote:

“It is not a weakness to seek support. It is self-care and maintenance.”

In a world constantly pushing us to stay connected, choosing to disconnect can be the most radical act of self-preservation.

If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or emotional overwhelm from the digital world—we’re here to help.
At Grand Rising Behavioral Health, we’re committed to helping you rise above the noise, reclaim your peace, and rebuild your mental strength.

Contact us today to explore therapy options, group sessions, and mental wellness resources:
🌐 grandrisingbehavioralhealth.com
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Together, we rise.