Crafting Smiles, One Mind at a Time

Sanam Naran, a trailblazing Counselling Psychologist and mental health advocate in South Africa is bridging the gap with modern therapy and empowering voices of colour. Boasting 13 million views, she raises awareness about mental health issues and inspires those grappling with challenges. Through her engaging and informative content, Sanam has become a trusted source of guidance and motivation for her followers.

How do you use TikTok to raise awareness about mental health issues or to provide support and inspiration to those facing mental health challenges?

I use TikTok to raise awareness about mental health through my videos. Many of my videos serve as psychoeducational content to increase awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. I educate my community on various topics that can impact their mental well-being. Frequently, I create skit videos simulating therapy sessions, addressing subjects like anxiety, relationship challenges, workplace stress, self-esteem, body image, issues related to identity, race, sexual orientation, and intergenerational trauma.


World Mental Health Day aims to break the stigma around mental health. What can the creative community do to contribute to a more open and understanding conversation about mental health?

To foster a more open and empathetic conversation about mental health within the creative community, creators can actively share their own mental health challenges. We've all encountered difficulties and experienced emotions such as anxiety and sadness. By embracing vulnerability and sharing their personal struggles, creators become more relatable to their followers. This helps people realise that grappling with mental health issues is entirely normal, even if you're in the spotlight, famous, or present a seemingly perfect life online. Furthermore, engaging in more discussions and transparent conversations surrounding mental health challenges is crucial. Creators should not shy away from addressing uncomfortable or taboo topics. Breaking down these barriers is where we can significantly reduce the stigma associated with mental health.


Which TikTok creators do you believe bring positivity to the platform?

I particularly enjoy watching Sevda. She creates content related to food, lifestyle, and other topics; her videos radiate positivity. Her positive energy is a significant reason for her substantial following; it shines through the screen. Another noteworthy creator is Dr. T Psychologist, who also produces exceptional content. These two creators on TikTok bring an immense sense of positivity.


What strategies or self-care practices do you incorporate into your daily routine to maintain good mental health while pursuing your creative endeavours? Do you have any tips or advice for fellow creators on managing their mental well-being?

I prioritise maintaining a healthy balance between my role as a creator, work, and self-care. This is something that I had to learn over time, as initially, I struggled to set clear boundaries. I used to experience guilt when I wasn't working, which hindered my self-care efforts. Consequently, I've realised that this guilt was a significant obstacle to practicing self-care consistently. Creators must establish clear boundaries regarding their creative work, screen time, and app usage. Equally important is the consideration of seeking therapy. While therapy can be costly, there are free options available. Through therapy, individuals gain valuable insights into themselves, including understanding their difficulties in setting boundaries or practicing self-care and uncovering reasons for seeking validation on social media. Therapy offers creators and people tools to manage their lives more effectively.


Many creators feel pressured to produce content and engage with their audience constantly. How do you balance your creative work and taking time for self-care and mental health?

Balancing creative work and self-care can be challenging for creators. Often, our self-worth is tied to social media metrics like follower count, likes, post-performance, and virality. This can be perilous. While easier said than done, we shouldn't gauge our self-worth solely on social media success. Unpacking these feelings can occur during introspective moments or therapy. Recognising signs of burnout or over-reliance on social media is crucial. It's a signal to establish boundaries, step away from the app and phone, and engage in happiness-inducing activities. These include mindfulness, outdoor activities, socialising, and pursuing enjoyable pastimes.