Too Truthful to Publish? Psychological Influence, Media, and Mental Health Literacy

A reflection on how media, comparison culture, and subtle influence shape emotional wellbeing

We talk openly about the aetiology of mental illness. We understand trauma and its impacts. We explain depression and anxiety through a biopsychosocial lens. As an industry, we are good at placing the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff.

What we maybe don’t talk enough about is what happens before people fall. This is where psychological influence—often subtle and cumulative—quietly shapes distress long before it becomes diagnosable.

We live within a sphere of constant influence—through experiences, relationships, and media designed to shape how we think, feel, and behave. Yet we rarely discuss how psychological influence works, why it matters, or how subtle injuries accumulate over time. These injuries are not always obvious; they quietly reshape self-belief, distort judgement, and influence narratives of worth, belonging, and adequacy. Left unexamined, they may contribute to emotional distress, hopelessness, and, in extreme cases, may contribute to thoughts that life is no longer worth enduring.

This conversation is about more than treatment. Treatment is essential and often life-saving—but it is not the whole story. This is an invitation to extend the conversation to also consider why we are not educating people earlier about how influence operates, how it can wound, and how to respond with awareness rather than self-blame. This kind of mental health literacy may play a meaningful role in prevention, long before distress becomes overwhelming.

We are surrounded by messages that encourage comparison, dependency, urgency, and fear. Much of this influence is subtle, persuasive, and harmful in its cumulative effect, even if appearing harmless. Media narratives often reward outrage, polarisation, and unrealistic ideals while minimising the psychological cost of constant exposure. Consequently, people internalise pressure without having time to reflect on the source—or the intention—behind what they are consuming.

Psychological resilience is not necessarily about “bouncing back,” but about developing deeper self-understanding. It can be found in the space between coping and wanting to give up—something most people navigate repeatedly, yet rarely acknowledge or celebrate in ways that strengthen their sense of self.

Imagine being encouraged to build an adaptable, sustainable psychological framework grounded in understanding who we are, how we are shaped, and why certain experiences affect us more than others. Such a framework does not promise happiness or the absence of discomfort; rather, it supports reflection, boundaries, accountability, and compassion toward the self and others.

With greater psychological and self-literacy, people may be better able to identify manipulation, recognise when comparison culture is harming them, and make more conscious choices about what they consume—emotionally, narratively, and informationally. Media messages and internal dialogues could be evaluated not as truths, but as influences to be weighed: Is this absolutely true? Could this be an influenced perspective? Is this relevant to me? Is it helpful right now? Does it align with my values?

Media itself could play a powerful role here. What if stories were shared without hype or fear-based framing? What if lived experiences were presented with humility—“this was my experience; yours may differ”—rather than as universal solutions? What if advertising focused on usefulness rather than leveraging insecurity? These shifts could meaningfully support emotional wellbeing beyond clinical spaces.

We encounter media everywhere—at the fuel bowser, at the doctors, in shops, on our phones, through podcasts and playlists. This constant direction of attention shapes the collective psyche. A calmer, more compassionate, and more transparent approach could meaningfully reduce emotional and mental overwhelm for many people. In a world driven by urgency, drama, and performance, shifting away from harmful forms of influence may be one of the greatest challenges—and opportunities—of our time.

In recent years, we have seen the shift in how the media portrays women’s bodies—particularly in relation to size and shape—has had a genuinely positive influence, helping many feel able to accept their own bodies. If this kind of progress is possible, imagine what might follow from a more intentional lens adjustment: prioritising informative, reflective, compassionate, and considerate engagement. Where less is more. Especially if we begin by noticing the influences we absorb every day—and how they shape the way we relate to ourselves.

This perspective sits within my broader work exploring psychological influence, self-awareness, and sustainable psychological frameworks.