Empowering Sri Lankan content creators for positive impact
Colombo, 27 October 2023: TikTok, the world’s leading short-form video platform, continues its efforts to promote #MentalHealthAwareness in South Asia by hosting an interactive creator workshop in Sri Lanka. This event was a testament to TikTok’s commitment to not only enhance the content landscape in Sri Lanka but also make the platform a safe and supportive space for everyone.
In collaboration with Vidaclinic and members of the Sri Lankan creator community, TikTok’s workshop brought together creators, professionals, and experts to discuss the delicate intersection of content creation and mental health. This initiative is part of TikTok’s broader strategy to educate, inspire, and uplift the Sri Lankan community of creators, ensuring they produce compelling content while fostering an environment that promotes mental health awareness and well-being on the platform.
At the heart of the workshop was an engaging panel discussion and insightful presentations that provided attendees with essential knowledge about TikTok’s tools, safety features and comprehensive Community Guidelines. Creators were equipped with the skills to strategically enhance their content creation and effectively engage their followers on TikTok. This emphasis on education and training empowers creators to produce content that not only entertains but also contributes positively to the online community.
Rashmi Sooriyabandara, a university lecturer and psychologist at Vidaclinic, led an engaging session that delved into topics of critical importance for the TikTok Community. Her presentation covered stress management techniques, strategies for coping with anxiety, building resilience, and maintaining positive mental health. Rashmi’s insights further highlighted the broader scope of TikTok’s commitment to the holistic well-being of its community.
Renowned content creator, Saasha Karunarathne said, “The TikTok mental health awareness event was such a breath of fresh air! It provided a great platform for us content creators to openly discuss the challenges and coping strategies concerning our mental well-being. As a panelist, it gave me an opportunity to especially discuss the toll that negative comments may cause and how to battle the strain of our forever-demanding workload. Being able to catch up with my fellow creators was the cherry on top!”
The dynamic panel discussion included Rashmi Sooriyabandara, Tasha Amaresinghe, a fitness content creator and psychologist, Saasha Karunarathne, a prominent media personality and content creator, and Eric Heinrichs, an accomplished actor and content creator. The panelists shared their personal experiences and discussed the significance of digital safety and the importance of drawing boundaries to safeguard one’s mental health online.
Reflecting TikTok’s commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for users to freely express themselves, the workshop provided a safe and wholesome platform for creators to engage in candid conversations with mental health experts and TikTok representatives. This convergence of creators and experts also attests to the collaborative spirit behind TikTok’s mission to elevate the content landscape in Sri Lanka.