EMU Today

YPSILANTI — In today’s digitalized world, the dangers of social media often run rampant, resulting in the deteriorating mental health of college students. According to the National Institutes of Health, heavy social media usage can lead to increased rates of anxiety and depression. 

Layer that with the challenges of participating in sports, and the dangers rise even further. According to a recent National Collegiate Athletics Association Student-Athlete Well-Being Study, the number of student-athletes reporting mental health concerns was 1.5 to two times higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In its March 2024 episode, “Enlighten U,” Eastern Michigan University’s podcast for students, dissects the harmful effects of social media on all college students and shines a light on the unique challenges of student-athletes.

EMU junior public relations major and cheerleader Elena Davis appeared on the show and shared how being a social media user – and student-athlete – can sometimes be overwhelming. Not one to sit idly, Davis also owns a small nail business and is a sports writer for the school’s newspaper, the Eastern Echo. As an avid social media user on Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook, Davis often shares her thoughts on how social media affects college students and how she has fallen victim.    

Davis was joined on set by Aesha Mustafa, Ph.D., LMSW, an EMU assistant professor in the College of Education’s Department of Leadership and Counseling. Mustafa is also the co-owner of Integrative Empowerment Group, a downtown Ypsilanti center dedicated to counseling, healing, and wellness. An advocate for self-care and self-love, Mustafa explained how students can combat social media harm and how student-athletes can nurture their mental health.

“I am sometimes shocked by the hours upon hours students spend on social media,” said Lolita Cummings, EMU’s professor of public relations and “Enlighten U” co-host. “In our conversations, they admit it often feels like a trap but say they cannot escape it. Excessive use of social media can be addictive, and it’s a hard habit to break. I’m so grateful for the work and advice of  Dr. Mustafa, as she helps so many students to improve their mental health.” 

Future episodes of “Enlighten U” will address ADHD, food insecurities,  adjustment to campus life, and more.

For more information about “Enlighten U,” contact Lolita Cummings at lcummin2@emich.edu and Melissa Thrasher at mthrashe@emich.edu. Email messages with guest and topic suggestions can also be sent to Enlighten_U@emich.edu. “Enlighten U" is available on all major podcast streaming services and EMU's YouTube Channel. The next episode will air Monday, April 15. 

About Enlighten U
“Enlighten U” is an Eastern Michigan University-produced podcast for college students as they experience unique stressors, including academic pressures, personal growth, social challenges, and more. EMU executive director of media relations and social media Melissa Thrasher and EMU public relations professor Lolita Cummings serve as co-hosts. Each episode is released each month and welcomes a student or alum and a subject-matter professional. Episodes of “Enlighten U” address mental health topics like imposter syndrome, financial strain, grading anxiety, adjustment to campus life, social media harms, social justice, and more.

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.