Times Are Changing for Social Media’s Role in Our Field

October 13, 2009 When America Online was the “go to” place for electronic interpersonal communication, mental health and addiction chat rooms (like "Friends of Bill W.") were created to provide anonymous virtual forums for support and empowerment. At the time, these were considered to be "novel," but not really a part of any organizational or treatment strategy. Today, the landscape (and the role) for social media has changed; and behavioral health and social service organizations without social media strategies are at a competitive disadvantage. [Note: Your plan can be to not use social media in your particular market niche, but . . .