As I read items from my newsreader this weekend, I saw a reference to streaming service Zeam partnering with the Mental Health Television Network. This got my attention because I had no idea that MHTN existed until this weekend, and I feel like I should have.
It is a full-blown network. You can watch it yourself from their website.
https://mhtn.org/
Being more social and getting some exercise can help people feel better about themselves and improve their mental health struggles. It won’t fix everything, and we must stop pretending they will. If elite athletes can struggle with mental health, we can’t go around stigmatizing people dealing with depression as lazy folks who need a good workout, and we can’t tell someone who’s introverted and struggling with anxiety to meet more people and expect that will cure them.Â
It’s likely not going to cure them any more than a day in the grass would heal bipolar disorder or hallucinations.Â
That also doesn’t mean they are worthless endeavors. Having close connections and getting some exercise in nature are, generally, good things.Â
They aren’t a replacement for solid mental healthcare, though. Our mental health is a little more complicated than that.Â
As societies, we don’t care enough to do the hard work required to change it. If we cared, we wouldn’t have years and years of stories like this. We wouldn’t have millions of people having to choose between eating and their mental health or being dumped into a system that offers no help.Â
But we do, and very few leaders are even talking about making the massive investments necessary to overhaul the system.Â
Because we don’t care.Â
It will leave you asking more questions than it provides answers, but these are questions we should be asking.Â
It sounds odd to me. But I realize that may be because I grew up and live in a society that doesn’t place enough value on friendship. If I want to value my friends more, why wouldn’t I do whatever I could to stay connected to my closest friends? Therapy could be a viable alternative to ending close friendships and losing connections that make a difference in our lives.Â
So, why not friendship therapy?Â
NAMI put out the original book – You Are Not Alone, to help people dealing with mental health issues.Â
This week, they released You Are Not Alone for Parents and Caregivers.Â
