Samoa's only psychiatrist has called for more awareness surrounding social media and its effects on vulnerable citizens as a solution to tackling cyberbullying.

Seiuliali'i Dr. George Tuitama, the head of the Mental Health Unit in the Ministry of Health, told the Samoa Observer on Thursday that teenagers are vulnerable when it comes to cyberbullying and awareness is essential so they understand the implications of its use.

He said there is a tendency for some of them to assume that cyberbullying can be a game or even a prank but the posts stay online permanently and can become a scar on one's life.

“Yes, depression and stress due to social issues is one of the main reasons for suicide, so I think the real issue here is awareness and education around social media," Seiuliali'i said.

"This is a national responsibility and should be a priority in every Government ministry to help build awareness of social media and its true effects. 

"If you watch television at night, you would hardly see an advertisement which helps teenagers build this knowledge, social media is a very powerful tool but if used wrongly it can be a very powerful weakness too."

Putting forward education around the consequential effects of social media use on young people, Seiuliali'i said the issue should be raised at all avenues in the community.

“Education around social media should be discussed at every level i.e. churches and youth, Mafutaga a tina, village council meetings, workplaces, schools, and especially in families.

“If we really want to help teenagers with depression and suicide due to online bullying, we need to educate the public on social media, I would love to see more advertisements to address this issue, especially on television, radio channels, and Facebook pages."

Modernisation in Samoa has also led to a lot of families getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, and they don't have time for families according to the Samoan psychiatrist.

“We are so busy nowadays that most families now don’t have the time to spend with each other," Seiuliali'i added. 

"Most parents now have no idea what their children are going through in schools and also with their lives. They are only made aware when it’s too late."

The end result of only finding out about a loved one's personal life after a disaster, also irked Seiuliali'i who said it made him angry hearing phrases like, “I had no idea she was going through this" from parents about their children.

In separate interviews with the Samoa Observer, National University of Samoa (N.U.S.) students Alpha, Soloaina, Sebastian, Omega and Fagasau shared examples of cyberbullying they've experienced while using social media.

They said they were sent leaked nude videos which went viral and later laughed and joked about it with their mates, unaware of the consequences for the potential victims. 

“We received leaked videos of nudity and some harsh comments of people to these people, it was fun but at last it cost the lives of two young girls in two separate years,” Alpha said.

“Also, one of our friends that dropped out of school is facing the same situation. In his case, he is feeling guilty and he always told us that living is not meant for him anymore, we cannot tell."

To avoid teenagers and young adults falling into depression, Seiuliali'i appealed to parents to keep the communication lines open with their children, as it is an effective avenue to tackle depression that they could be facing.

“You need to make sure you talk to your children and check up on them as much as you can. Even when they are grown up and matured to even married, this responsibility is a lifetime responsibility of any parent. 

"We need to encourage everyone to try and find a medium of communicating because, with depression, you will never know unless you ask. You have no idea unless you try and communicate, make it a habit, and make it a normal routine."