Why Are People Feeling So Hopeless?
- theymatter4
- Sep 17
- 3 min read
Everywhere you look, it seems like despair is rising. Scroll through TikTok or Instagram and you’ll find countless videos of people admitting they don’t want to be here anymore. In the comments, hundreds echo the same: “I’m right there with you.” “This world is not it.” “I don’t want to be here either.”
It’s heartbreaking — but it’s also important to understand: why is this happening? Why are so many people, especially young people, feeling so hopeless?
Emotional contagion & social proof
Emotions are contagious. When one person posts about despair and receives a flood of replies, it signals to others that they’re not alone in those feelings. This creates social proof — people see despair being shared and join the conversation themselves. While this can feel comforting, it also amplifies hopelessness.
A place to be heard
For many, posting about suicidal thoughts isn’t about attention-seeking — it’s about longing to be seen. If someone feels invisible or unheard in real life, social media becomes a place where they can finally receive validation, sympathy, or acknowledgment.
Algorithmic amplification
Social media platforms reward engagement. Emotional content — especially despair — sparks heavy engagement in the form of comments, likes, and shares. The algorithm sees that as “interesting” and pushes it to more people, creating a feedback loop that spreads hopelessness even further.
Anonymity & group identity
Comments like “Me too” or “I feel the same” create temporary online communities. People bond over shared pain. But instead of pointing toward healing, this group identity can normalize hopelessness and keep people stuck there.
Real-world stressors
It’s not just social media. Rising economic uncertainty, political instability, loneliness, gaps in mental health support, and the lingering effects of the pandemic have all intensified anxiety and depression. Social media is simply the mirror where these struggles show up.
Younger demographics
TikTok in particular skews young. Younger users are more likely to experiment with extreme language, seek validation online, and express their struggles publicly. This age group is also facing unique pressures around identity, belonging, and the future — which makes hopeless content more common in their feeds.
How Can We Change This?
It’s not enough to notice the problem — we have to take action. Here are some powerful ways we can start shifting the culture online and off:
Flood the feed with hope
Post messages of encouragement, kindness, and resilience. Hope spreads the same way despair does.
Build communities of support
Spaces like The Wall of Hope exist to show people they are not alone. When names come together in a public pledge to choose compassion over despair, it reminds people that community is still possible.
Shape the algorithm
Engage with uplifting content so the platforms know what to show you more of. Use “Not Interested” on despair-heavy posts. Follow creators who model hope.
Equip people with tools
Share crisis hotlines. Model healthy comment replies. Teach how to report harmful content so platforms can step in when safety is at risk.
Address the root issues
Talk about the real-world problems — stress, loneliness, injustice — and highlight ways to take action. Small steps toward solutions matter.
Be the example
Model vulnerability and hope together. It’s okay to name the chaos, but always point toward the possibility of change. Let your name and your pledge be a gift to others.
A Call to Hope
Yes, the world feels chaotic. Yes, many people feel hopeless. But hopelessness doesn’t have to be the last word. We can resist despair — by showing compassion, sharing encouragement, and building communities that choose light over darkness.
That’s why we created The Wall of Hope: a living testament to people everywhere who refuse to give in to despair. Every name added is a declaration: “I pledge to bring hope.”
Join the Wall of Hope today. Add your name, take the pledge, and let it stand as a beacon for those who feel lost. Together, we can turn chaos into compassion and hopelessness into healing.
Disclaimer: The Wall of Hope and this website are intended to inspire, encourage, and build community. We are not medical or mental health professionals and the content shared here should not be taken as medical, psychiatric, or therapeutic advice. If you are struggling with thoughts of self-harm, suicide, or overwhelming hopelessness, please reach out immediately for help.
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