SocialGov self-care: Prioritizing your well-being this World Mental Health Day
Contributed blog by Angie Ramirez, Freelance Writer at Government Social Media®
Let’s be honest: being a government social media professional is a uniquely challenging role that not everyone understands. You’re expected to be the voice of your agency, the first line of response to your community’s concerns, and the buffer for every comment, complaint, and troll that comes your way. You’ve probably heard more than your fair share of “fire the social media intern” comments, dealt with people who believe you control every city policy, and faced hostility from upset residents—all while juggling a packed content calendar, crises that can hit at a moment’s notice, and the pressure to communicate with accuracy, empathy, and speed.
And yet, you show up every single day. You open that inbox, knowing it might be filled with hateful language or personal attacks, and you navigate each conversation with professionalism and grace. You find the right words, even when you’re up against tight deadlines and shifting between many hats.
But here's the truth: while you’re focused on taking care of your community, your own well-being often gets put on the back burner. That’s why, with World Mental Health Day, it’s time to focus on you—because you deserve the same care and compassion you extend to everyone else.
Quick sidebar:
Right now, as Hurricane Milton makes its way toward Florida, I think about my peers working tirelessly in Emergency Operations Centers to keep their communities informed and safe. I remember the intense, high-adrenaline days of managing crisis communications during hurricanes myself, feeling the immense weight of responsibility to deliver critical information that could impact lives. Now, having moved to Colorado a year ago, I watch from a distance and feel a pang of guilt that I’m no longer in the trenches helping out.
But then, the other day, I saw a post in the Government Social Media Facebook group—a thread of emails from socialgov professionals all over the country volunteering to support our counterparts in Florida. This is what community looks like. This is the type of community that pulls together to help each other. I can’t express how much this warmed my heart. Even when it’s hard, even when it’s exhausting, we’re here for each other.
I’ll never forget the first time I attended GSMCON and felt like I’d found my people. Connecting with others who get it, and who understand the challenges and frustrations we face daily, made me realize I’m not alone. Whether you’ve had the chance to experience it in person or engage virtually, I can’t stress enough how much the Government Social Media Professional Association means to me and so many others in this field. If you’re struggling, lean into this community—there’s so much support and encouragement to help you through.
Whether you’re a one-person team navigating election-season stress or simply managing the daily demands of this unique job, don’t forget to prioritize your well-being!
In the spirit of taking care of yourself and each other, here are five self-care tips to keep in mind during these busy and challenging times:
1. Set healthy boundaries
One of the unique things about social media, is it never stops. After hours, on weekends, and any time of day, it can be easy to fall down rabbit holes or open every notification that pops up on your phone. Setting healthy boundaries (and sticking to them) is essential for government social media managers.
When it comes to monitoring, have an open and honest discussion about expectations with your supervisor. One tool that I find incredibly helpful is automated replies letting the public know when an inbox is/is not being monitored.
For example: Thank you for contacting [INSERT AGENCY NAME]. This inbox is monitored Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. If this is an emergency, please call 9-1-1. For more information about our services, please visit [INSERT WEBSITE]. We will respond to your message as soon as possible.
You can also set up automatic replies based on keywords. Here is an article on how to set up automations in Meta Business Suite.
If your agency’s inbox must be monitored outside of regular business hours, consider setting up shifts with your team, or set an alarm for 1-2 times a day so that you’re not constantly interrupting your down time.
It's easy to get caught up in a 24/7 cycle of social media monitoring, but we all need time to unplug. But remember—you don’t have to respond to everything the second it comes in. Set up realistic boundaries for checking notifications and make sure your team understands when you’re “on” and “off.” This way, you can give yourself permission to disconnect and recharge.
2. Take care of your body and mind
Your health is the most important thing, above all else. Make sure you’re taking care of your body by doing the following:
- Take care of your basic needs for nutrition, hydration, sleep, and movement.
- Take breaks throughout the day to stretch, go outside, and ground yourself.
- Recognize the signs of burnout and take a break to rest before you get there.
- Lean into your support system, including friends, families, and other socialgovs.
- Speak to a professional if you’re feeling down, experiencing anxiety, or having harmful thoughts.
- Reduce stress and find balance between things you need to do and the things you want to do.
- Make time for things that bring your joy! Whether it’s a creative outlet, going on a walk, doing a hobby, or spending time with loved ones.
- Stay up to date with annual examinations and prioritize your physical and mental health.
Taking care of your mind and body isn’t just for your own well-being—it also gives you the energy to show up as a better employee, family member, and friend.
It’s a cliché, but it’s true—you can’t pour from an empty cup.
3. Lean on your community
Having people in your corner is so important. It reminds us that we’re not alone, that we have a support network, and that we are more than our day-to-day responsibilities. Whether it’s a partner, friend, coworker, or someone in the GSM community, reaching out to talk when things get tough can help tremendously. Never underestimate the power of sharing your struggles with others who understand what you’re going through and can offer support and compassion.
The Government Social Media Facebook group is a great place to connect with other socialgovs, whether you are trying to problem-solve something specific or you just need to commiserate. It can be so powerful to talk to others that just get it! Even if you are a one-person team, know you are not alone. Our community is here to help with toolkits, free resources, recommendations, a shoulder to cry on if you need it, and a hug to let you know you’ve got this and you’re not alone.
4. Remember, you’re more than your job
Your worth isn’t measured by likes, comments, or shares, and you shouldn’t feel obligated to shoulder the mental weight of every negative comment or online troll.
When you find yourself getting caught up in metrics or taking negative feedback personally, pause and remind yourself: you’re a human being first. It’s tough, but it’s crucial to set boundaries between your identity and your work to protect your mental well-being.
Social media can be a breeding ground for negativity, and it’s easy for people to hide behind a keyboard and spew hurtful comments. But even when residents seem angry at your agency, remember they’re not angry at you. You play a vital role in responding with empathy and professionalism.
In the wise words of Leslie Knope: “What I hear when I’m being yelled at is people caring really loudly at me.”
At the end of the day, you’re doing your best to keep your community informed—but remember, there’s so much more to you than just your job. Finding balance and allowing yourself time to disconnect will not only make you a better public servant, but also a better friend, partner, and family member.
5. Celebrate the wins (big and small!)
Every socialgov manager has a long list of to-dos, and it’s easy to focus on what’s not done rather than what you’ve accomplished. Take a moment each day to celebrate your wins—whether it’s nailing a tricky post, getting through a tough day, or just remembering to take a break. Recognizing your efforts is a powerful way to reinforce your sense of accomplishment and keep burnout at bay.
Final thoughts
Prioritizing mental health is SO important. I’ve been inspired by GSM speakers like Jessie Brown, who is a passionate advocate for mental health in our community, April Leonard and Andrea Watts from Kansas City, who spoke about balance and wellness strategies at GSMCON last year, and people like Anthea Thomas from Fort Lauderdale who is just a ray of sunshine and ultimate hype woman who always makes others in the community feel seen and appreciated. There are so many people in the Government Social Media Network who care about you and understand how difficult your job can be.
You’re not alone in this journey, and asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. As we recognize World Mental Health Day, take a moment to explore these resources and prioritize your well-being—you deserve it!
Resources:
Articles:
- Ways to prioritize self-care on the socialgov frontlines
- Battling burnout as a social media manager from SproutSocial
- 7 Ways to Protect Your Mental Health When You Work in Social Media from Later
National resources:
- The federal 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7/365 for immediate support. Talk to a counselor via call, text or chat by dialing 988.
- National Institute of Mental Health
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Additional services and tools:
Meet the author
Angela Ramirez (Pitts)
Freelance Writer - Government Social Media LLC
Angela is an award-winning government communicator who is passionate about leveraging social media to build strong relationships between government agencies and the people they serve. During her tenure with the City of Tampa, Angela proudly maintained a dynamic social media presence for the City, telling Tampa’s story through historic events, including the Super Bowl, the COVID-19 pandemic, major hurricanes, and more. She also helped establish a community-centric social media following for the City, growing the @cityoftampa Instagram profile from less than 1k followers to over 100k in under five years.
She has recently moved to the beautiful state of Colorado and now serves as Communications Manger for the City of Lakewood, the 5th largest city in the state. Her passion for government social media continues as she strives to be a thought leader in the field. She takes immense pride in the connections she’s made with social media professionals across the nation.
Angela earned her bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida and is currently completing her master's degree in Digital Strategy from the University of Florida. In her free time, you can find her scrolling Instagram Reels, spending time with her husband and dog, or planning her next big adventure.
Government Social Media empowers government professionals to achieve mastery in social media through conferences, online training, and professional association membership.
Best communicate with the public you serve and get connected with fellow socialgovs by registering for the 2025 Government Social Media Conference happening in the Orlando-area and virtually from wherever you are! Join our free network for bi-weekly Government Social Media Chats or professional association for member-only webinars. Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates on training, events and more.
