If we live in a world with better healthcare and access to better healthcare, then why do we have worsening mental health?
Replies12
- I'd say the rise of social media has played a huge part. Also the rise of activism over the last few years. Whilst the latter is a good thing there is ALWAYS something bad going on in the world. You can end up burning yourself out responding to each and every issue. Mobile phones in our pockets is also quite possibly something that's depleting our mental health, slowly but surely.
- While access and resources have improved, cost of living and the job market have worsened, medical services are increasingly overwhelmed with other health concerns, and stigma still remains. The resources are there but are needs are greater than can be provided for, and the social view of mental health has barely changed.
- society and capitalism mainly x
- Thank you for your thoughts @ɐɹoᗡ ɐuu∀ ˥.It's an interesting viewpoint you have; when you say we are now more aware of our 'mental health'. which is why it isn't necessarily worse but just the fact we are more acutely aware!
- Thank you for your honesty and braveness @Harriet Anstruther.Few people would have have the courage to admit to having depression or any form of 'emotional' behavioural health state but now that the stigma around 'mental health' is being unveiled, due to more education and other initatives.However, I think we should all take a stand and support those who need help. As you say; it's not always visible, if someone is suffering with poor mental health and unless we allow someone into our innermost thoughts and feelings, how can we begin to understand or empathise how someone might be feeling unless they tell us.
- As someone that's grappled with depression my entire adult life, i've thought about this question a lot. I think the answer has something to do with the fact that mental health (per se), is still seen as separate from health in general. Since we can't remove our heads from our bodies, the concept is fatally floored. Worsening mental health still comes from an abject fear of what we can't see or understand.
- Hi Victoria,I wouldn't say the mental health worsening necessarily much more like we more aware of it. If you think about such a topic that mental health weren't on the plate when people even struggled with such a basic needs than food.On the top of that why I admit the situation gets worse is because we are fighting with our natural habitat. The lifestyle we live if you think it's so different than just a few thousand year before and even if it's a big time for us for evolution itself it's a tiny. So really we just create stressed lifestyles for ourselves in a quicker speed than the development of our body can catch up with.
- @Joel Kitzmiller My thoughts on current governement workings are how they seem to be taking a more proactive approach in the workplace due to COVID-19. Equally the work they completed with Every Mind Matters should be taken into account.I would tend agree with you, on your points raised about our social interactions; is this what is damaging our emotional health?Do we compare ourselves too frequently to others; as we feel compelled to do so? And do we need to do this to have that reassurance to feel okay? Or is it a case that if we are constantly achieving then that's going to benefit us and we won't take notice of any emotional voids?Isn't it better sometimes just to be ourselves?We question our thoughts and feelings when are not succesful. We ask ourselves why not? Maybe theres isn't an answer? We should be happy and content by our own standards and not that of others. We need to stop looking to others for our own answers. Alas, accountablity for our own actions is not always easy!
- @Victoria Hills What work are you referring to re: the current government?Re: Mark Fisher's point, my take on it is that it's less about a specific party letting us down and a bit more about both letting us down over a number of years and successive gov'ts - as he put it, a "deliberate destruction of solidarity and security." I know that sounds a little bleak, but I do think he has/had a point.The last 20 years have brought technological changes that have fundamentally changed the way we spend our time. Boredom doesn't exist anymore if you have a smartphone and data plan. The time for mindful reflection is therefore increasingly spent inside screens scrolling; looking at targeted content and or the achievements of others.We now require learned discipline to ensure our working hours aren't sucking up every moment of our day, and that idea is not a mainstream thought. To me, there is no better starting point to probing your initial question.
- Interesting view point, thank you for sharing, Joel Kitzmiller.However, as our political parties in the UK don't seem united in this aspect it might be difficult to gain clarity for those who have struggled in the past.Nevertheless, I hope the work that the current government are conducting will ensure future generations enjoy better mental health.I want everyone to feel that they have positive mental health.Hopefully going forward we can all feel we have access to more resources or early interventions if deemed necessary.We need to reduce the stigma around 'mental health' so people feel more able to discuss the topic, either at work or home, which then in turn increases our own ability to improve our mental and physical health.
- Thank you for your thoughts Neo Dragoslavic.Self reflection is always a great starting point, but often the hardest as we feel unable to look deep within our souls. It must always be about having a positive mindset and from that we can achieve anything, well almost!
- I believe that it's in part a political issue rather than one that should be directly linked solely to the availability of help. Equally, access to better healthcare doesn't always mean access to a therapist. Mark Fisher wrote a lot about this, here's one such thread to expore.https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/jul/16/mental-health-political-issue
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