From Likes to Lonely: Social Media’s Hidden Mental Cost

It starts with a scroll.
A picture. A reel. A post carefully crafted for public applause.
We smile for the camera, apply filters, write the perfect caption, and then wait — for likes, hearts, and comments.

And when the numbers don’t match our expectations, something quiet but deep begins to hurt inside.

In Ghana and around the world, social media has become both a mirror and a mask.
It reflects our desire to be seen — but also hides our true selves.
Behind every flawless selfie, there’s often a story untold: insecurity, loneliness, fear of not being enough.

Dr. David Rex Orgen, a global voice on mental health, says the pressure to perform online is one of the biggest emotional challenges facing today’s youth.
Many young people are now measuring their value by followers and views instead of identity, purpose, and real relationships.

This silent crisis is leading to:

Social comparison leaves people constantly feeling behind.

Validation addiction where the absence of likes feels like rejection.

Anxiety and depression hidden behind digital smiles.

Isolation, because people no longer know how to connect without a screen.

We’re raising a generation that looks confident online but feels invisible offline.

Social media was supposed to connect us — but for many, it’s deepening the loneliness.

Dr. Orgen believes it’s time to help young people reclaim their minds. Through InspireMind Global, he’s leading digital wellness workshops in schools, churches, and communities — equipping students, teachers, and parents to understand the emotional cost of social media and how to use it without losing themselves.

The truth is simple but powerful:

Your worth isn’t in likes or views. It’s in who you are when no one’s watching.

📱 Book InspireMind Global to host a Digital Wellness & Mental Health Workshop in your school or youth group.
🌍 www.inspiremindglobal.com

Written by Dr. David Rex Orgen, Best-Selling Author and International Mental Health Expert, Global Wellness Ambassador, and Minister of Hope.