As Ben points out, the increased awareness of mental health issues is great. The fact that young people feel less stigmatized in talking about it and seeking out help is great. It’s also not enough.
There’s a lot going on in the world. Economic uncertainty, political tension, environmental disasters, social fragmentation, constant noise, and so much more. Our society isn’t growing in ways that naturally give people the connection, stability, and support they need to manage all of this. We’re more aware, sure, but not necessarily more supported.
https://mentalhealth411.substack.com/p/thats-a-wrap
As I also shared in this week’s newsletter, we live in a society that keeps moving farther and farther away from community. People need to work 10-12 hours a day, sometimes at multiple jobs, just to afford housing and the bare essentials for life. We’ve created a narrative where people are more afraid of each other than part of a community, and pushed people to be more isolated than ever.
We also decreased spending for the programs that assist with mental health, making it more likely that those who would seek it, won’t find it.
We talk about the importance of mental health, but our actions as a society send a completely different message.