TikTok trolls posing as IMH docs cause concern

Their comments could trivialise mental health issues, say experts

- Kolette Lim

A growing number of TikTok users are posing as doctors from the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) to post nuisance comments on the video-sharing platform, a trend that has sparked concern among experts.

These online trolls, who have nicknames like "Doctor Daniel Zhang of IMH", have in recent months left comments on videos that usually say something like "See me in my office" or "Remember to take your prescribed medication".

Their targets of choice are usually videos of TikTok creators dancing in public or doing other silly and unusual things.

While they are meant to be tongue-in-cheek, experts and other users say the comments could trivialise mental health issues.

TikTok user Wabikaeru, who has consulted a psychiatrist for 10 years for his anxiety disorder, found the trend silly and funny when he first came across it four months ago. But the content creator, who wanted to be identified only by his TikTok handle, was concerned when it became increasingly common.

"Now, day in and day out, people who log on to TikTok are reminded that going to IMH to see a doctor should be a matter of shame as you will be the butt of other people's jokes."