The State of America’s Mental Health

The United States ranks in third when measuring countries that face the greatest “burden” of mental health and behavioral disorders worldwide — The World Health Organization (WHO?… The World Health Organization!!)

It’s true, and that rate was determined by factoring the number of deaths, or the amount of years of life lost due to mental illness. That’s fucked up. It’s fucked up in a lot of ways, obviously, but I couldn’t help but ask: Why is the U.S. so poorly mentally taken care of when it’s supposedly the ‘richest’ country in the world?

PSA: Just want to say before you all read the article, I know mental health can’t be explained in basic terms. It’s complex, and I really don’t mean to diminish any one’s illness or experience by pretending I know the reason. Believe me, I have dealt with mental illness throughout my life, and mine was chemical, not situational. So, I know there isn’t a simple answer. But in these P.C. times, you can never be too careful.

There are so many factors that go into this discussion, especially since there are a plethora of mental disorders that are genetic, and can’t just be explained in a sentence or two, or a brief article for that matter. But, as for depression, many experts have coined the term ‘luxury disorder’ to describe depression in America. Comfortable circumstances increase depression? For many Americans that may be the case… If you’re not worried about your survival, but the mundane aspects of your life, day after day, that can weigh you down. However, if you’re like me, depression can just arrive as a chemical monster, unwelcome in the home of your mind yet is too much of a dick to leave when you tell it to.

Anxiety

Anxiety in America in 2018… even just reading that sentence makes me anxious. The media is the ultimate, undisputed culprit when it comes to spreading anxiety and fear throughout America like a wave every night at 5pm (E.T. at least, don’t know about you Pacifics :p). Of course, they distribute some valuable news that we need to know, don’t get me wrong. But I think we all know the power they have, and how biased they have become in recent years, but that is a totally different post, and honestly a different blog (shoutout POLITICO)

With news stories popping up on our phones throughout the day, friends and family discussing negative stories they’ve heard the other night, and social media spreading the fear like wildfire, it’s no wonder why, and how anxiety has become a national epidemic. Indirectly related to the opiate epidemic? Possibly. The point is: America is always in the crosshairs on the world-stage. America is like Leonardo Di Vinci… back in the day he was incredible, making all these inventions, impacting the world in positive ways, and making a serious, powerful name for himself… and later in life he was accused of abusing a child. America is kind of like that now… it makes sense trust me.

Society

Society is also a culprit. If you ever walk around in NYC, it’s easy to notice how many people are on their phones (unless you’re amongst the 80% on your phone!). People are less friendly than the 1950s for example, and the default mode of many people is one of fear, not love. The race relations are absolutely abysmal as well, and that creates a whole bunch of friction and anger among various groups. It’s sad, it’s a fearful time, and it’s an impersonal time. Depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses that otherwise wouldn’t show up are more prone to, because of the factors explained above.

It’s not all torrential rain and fire tornadoes (those are awesome). People are more connected now than ever before, that’s online of course, but it provides a platform to meet like-minded people for support and relationships, which is incredible. Also, people really aren’t all that bad… even though most people are on their phones, 88% of strangers I have intentionally started a conversation with throughout my life were willing to connect, even if it’s just for a bit. The news can be shut off. This is the most awe-inspiring time to be alive, and we should all be grateful for that. But, despite all of our technology being used to consumerism, I think a drastic shift in focus towards mental health would obviously be the most beneficial solution to a lot of societies problems, not to mention individuals’ and families’ suffering from these mental illnesses, preventing them from being the best versions of themselves, and being happy.

Change ✊

This can change, and optimism is our ultimate weapon. This can easily change… if someone in charge decided to make a drastic alteration in the way we care for our citizen’s mental health. But until then, sharing our stories, helping one another in our lives, and battling for an improved mental health care system in America are all things that will make a difference. America still is an incredible, unique country. We’re strong people with an under-dog past. We can change this, and we will.