Are you in the habit of saving a video from creators who promise calmer [insert anything] in five steps with gratitude-infused comments swarming the thread beneath it? Or maybe you’ve heard a loved one repeat a wellness coach’s advice like a mantra you want to ban from their vocabulary.
Funnily enough, despite how irksome those mantras may be, research suggests mental health gurus can both help and harm, depending on what a creator asks you to do afterward. Some open a door toward care, while others try to replace it. Our Miramont psychiatric hospital treats mental health conditions and co-occurring substance use side by side in Waukesha and Middleton. And anything you do next with us is evidence-backed.
In the meantime, let’s find out what’s really going on with the mental health gurus we love—and loathe—the most.
Can Mental Health Gurus Actually Help?
Yes, it’s possible that mental health gurus and content creators can help, especially when they share research-backed advice and encourage professional care. The trick is being able to tell a helpful guru from a distracting one.
Knowing the difference can be a challenge when many people feel close to creators they’ve never met. Researchers describe that type of one-sided connection as parasocial, and it can both isolate you further from the care you need the most and lead to lasting, healthy change. A 2026 meta-analysis of more than a dozen studies even linked select parasocial connections with better overall well-being.
Mental health communication training also seems to help, according to a Harvard study published in 2026, which worked with about 50 TikTok creators. After completing training, their audiences showed modest gains in mental health knowledge. Young viewers also improved at offering friends emotional support. Plenty of popular advice skips that training, though, and some of it may cause harm.
When Does a Guru’s Advice Become Harmful?
Advice can be harmful if it oversimplifies a condition or encourages you to skip professional treatment. Unfortunately, that pattern allegedly shows up often in popular wellness content on TikTok, according to The Guardian.
Guardian flagged more than half of #mentalhealthtips videos as misleading, including one that suggested eating an orange in the shower to ease anxiety. Other clips cast everyday fatigue as a sign of mental illness. Advice like this may sound harmless, but it can delay anxiety disorder treatment or other care someone may really need. Because of this, the fairest verdict on gurus is that they can both help and harm.
Tips For Telling a Helpful Guru From a Harmful One
Consider the following tips for telling if a guru is truly helpful, not harmful.
- Check their credentials. Look in the creator’s bio or website for a clinical degree or board certification. Lived experience can teach plenty, but it may work much less effectively than clinical training.
- Follow the money. Notice whether most of the creator’s tips end with a discount code, a pitch for paid coaching, or a product. When every answer leads to checkout, the advice may serve the creator’s income more than your well-being.
- See whether they point you toward care. Helpful creators often encourage viewers to talk with a doctor or therapist before trying something new. Discouraging prescribed medication or professional care can often be a sign that it’s best to step back.
- Ask your loved one what they’re watching. If you’re supporting someone, watch their favorite videos together and ask what resonates. This can be especially applicable for teens, who may be the most affected by the content they consume. If your child is struggling with their mental health and managing screen time, our adolescent care may help.
What Does Evidence-Based Care Look Like at Miramont?
Evidence-based care starts with a full evaluation and a treatment plan that our clinicians update as you progress. Your plan might include cognitive behavioral therapy for untangling unhelpful thoughts. It might also include acceptance and commitment therapy, which helps you act on your values even when feelings run high.
If you’re unsure whether you need a hospital, know that care comes in several levels:
- Our inpatient psychiatric care offers round-the-clock support during a crisis.
- Our day treatment program adds weekday structure while you sleep at home.
- We also offer support for families, since loved ones often need guidance of their own during treatment.
Where Can You Start With Miramont in Wisconsin?
You can start with a free, confidential assessment, available at any time from our mental health professionals. Feel free to bring along any advice your favorite mental health guru gave you. Understanding what speaks to you most can help our clinicians understand what you’re feeling.
Whenever the time feels right, we’ll listen to whatever you’ve tried so far. Book a free assessment, and let’s talk about what personalized support could look like for you.
