Are We Making People Mentally Ill?

Our actions might be hurting them

Someone may be hurting and need our help.

Mental illness has become a major concern in today’s society. Some conditions formerly thought to not be that serious have been found to cause people to do things in an extremely irrational manner. Mental problems in people have been said to cause mass shootings and terror. Everyone may feel down and depressed from time to time. Prolonged depression can lead to mental illness which can cause big problems.

Perhaps the most common type of mental illness is depression. When people are depressed, they may feel down, hopeless, tired, frustrated, and find little interest in doing things. They may have trouble sleeping or sleep too much. Poor appetite or overeating can be signs of depression. Feeling bad about oneself and wondering about your own value may be other signs. If a person notices those feelings and signs in himself or others, it would be wise to seek medical help. There are medications which can bring relief from those symptoms and help people to cope.

It is also a good idea to talk to a trusted friend or family member about the feelings that are making you feel down if that is happening to you. Talking often helps relieve the pressures of life.

I am not a psychiatrist or a psychologist, but I have had interactions with a lot of different people in my lifetime. I have seen all types, and there is a lot of sadness among many of them. I have known people who have committed suicide. It is a sad thing to see people end their lives when those close to them did not know to reach out and help them. They often do not ask for help. Times may seem so desperate that they feel the only relief would be to end their lives. Too many young people have committed suicide because life becomes too difficult, and they did not get the help they needed.

Are we making people become mentally ill by our behavior toward them? Someone told me about a disturbing piece which had been aired on a sports news show about an NFL pro football player who was treated badly by his fellow teammates to the point where he left. He went home to try and cope with the extreme distress he was feeling. It was reported that he had suffered several incidences of unkindness from other members of his team. The last straw seemed to be when a group of them invited him to sit with them at a table where they were seated for lunch. Possibly feeling happy that they were finally accepting him, he went to sit with them whereupon the rest of the team immediately got up and left. They may have thought it was a funny practical joke, but their actions caused great harm.

It seems totally outrageous and almost unbelievable that such a thing would happen. This was done by grown men who are well educated and successful. They most certainly should have known better. There is no excuse for their mistreatment and bullying of a fellow teammate. They should have been looking out for him and nurturing him. Instead, he was being bullied and disrespected.

Japanese Americans and immigrants from Japan suffered greatly during World War II when they were looked upon as the enemy simply for being ethnic Japanese. They were innocent of any wrongdoing, but their freedom was taken away. They were imprisoned in camps in remote and desolate areas of the country. Some were unable to take the ill-treatment and did face physical and mental challenges. It is surprising that more of them did not suffer severe mental illness from that treatment, but it did affect some of them adversely throughout their lifetimes.

Bullying is not reserved for young children in grade school, middle school, or high school. It is a problem throughout society. The sad stories of young people who commit suicide because of bullying are too numerous for what should be a civilized society. Too many children in high school and younger, as well as young adults in college or in the military, resort to ending their lives. It is because of bullying and harassment from their peers. It is time to take action and do something.

Unfortunately, there are bad examples of bullying from people in top leadership positions. This is hugely unfortunate and must be causing anguish for the victims. It is setting a terrible example for the younger generation.

People can and should be kinder to their fellowmen. There is no reason to make someone’s life miserable. Life is hard enough without people causing more problems knowingly and with malice toward someone.

Are we causing another person to have mental problems? We must stop hurting each other.

When someone does feel bullied or suffers from stress and depression, there are people and means to find help. There are trained professionals to help people cope with the trials of life. Doctors and counselors could be consulted. There are products which are said to help with stress and depression. Finding solutions are important for the health and well being of everyone who faces depression which could lead to worse mental issues.

People should be helping people instead of hurting each other. We should do our part to assist those around us rather than causing problems for them. If we are contributing to the problem, we need to make changes. Everyone needs a friend.

Loving-kindness will help everyone. Hate and unkindness will make lots of people suffer. Maybe it will make them ill.

[Source: Internet]