AN ASSESSMENT OF TIKTOK VIDEOS IN PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS AMONG YOUTHS IN JOS METROPOLIS
Abstract
Mental health awareness is a critical issue globally, with youths being among the most vulnerable groups. Social media, particularly TikTok, increasingly shapes perceptions and attitudes towards mental health through short, engaging videos. This study examines the role of TikTok in promoting mental health awareness among youths in Jos Metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria. Guided by the Social Cognitive Theory of Mass Communication (Bandura, 1963;2001) observational learning and behavioural modelling influence youths' attitude and knowledge. The research adopted a quantitative survey design, targeting a population of 607,300 youths aged 15-35 in Jos North and Jos South LGAs, as verified by the National population Commission (NPC, 2023). A sample size of 400 respondents was collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics. The study is expected to reveal the types of TikTok videos most engaged with by youths, their exposure levels, and the extent of influence on mental health attitudes. Findings will uniform policymakers, NGOs, and practitioners on leveraging TikTok to improve mental health literacy and reduce stigma among youths.
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