Mental Ill Health: A Symptom Of Our Collective Lack Of Understanding?

Summary

The article suggests that the perceived increase in mental health issues is not due to a recent surge in conditions but rather a result of our improved understanding and willingness to discuss mental health openly, contrasting with the silence surrounding these issues 50 years ago; it posits that our collective mental well-being is affected by our struggle to understand our purpose and place in the world.

Abstract

The author of the article argues that mental health challenges are not a new phenomenon but have been present in society for a long time, hidden due to the stigma attached to them in the past. With the change in societal attitudes, mental health is now recognized as a critical issue that should be discussed without shame. The article emphasizes that our current mental health crisis is rooted in existential questions about our purpose and place in the world, which often lead to feelings of confusion, discomfort, and ultimately mental health conditions such as Depression and Anxiety. The author proposes that to combat this crisis, we should reduce overthinking, express gratitude for life's simple pleasures, and reconnect with the curiosity and joy of our childhood selves, thus embracing a more fulfilling life.

Opinions

Mental health issues have always been present in society but were not acknowledged or discussed openly in the past.
The increase in reported mental health conditions is due to a shift in societal attitudes, making it more acceptable to talk about these issues.
The root of our collective mental health struggles lies in our existential quest to understand our purpose and place in the world.
Overthinking our existence and purpose can contribute to mental health conditions.
To improve mental health, we should focus on gratitude for the simple things in life and strive to recapture the carefree joy and curiosity of childhood.
The author believes that every individual has the innate ability to return to a state of childhood happiness and wonder, which can help alleviate mental health challenges.

Compared to 50 years ago, we are in a mental health crisis. Why are so many of us finding ourselves so unhappy, and what can we do about it?

In today’s society, mental ill health is seemingly on the rise, with the number of people being diagnosed with mental health conditions, and addictions, being worryingly high. In fact, compared to 50 years ago, for example, we could say that we are in a mental health pandemic. This knowledge has triggered me to write this post today, as I strive to understand why so many of us find ourselves so unhappy…

My belief?

That it is not because 50 years ago mental health conditions and addictions were non-existent in society, but it is because, 50 years ago, people didn’t talk about such things. They were still there, of course, they were, but they went unreported, hence why it seems like there has been a sudden ‘wave’ of mental ill health rather than the truth– that mental health and addictions have been prevalent in society for decades if not centuries.

The difference between now and then?

Then, if you were feeling depressed, it was a case of you needing to just put your head down and ‘get on with it.’ Whereas now? Now mental health is no longer seen as a ‘taboo’ topic, but a rightfully important one, and one that must be discussed openly, without so much as an ounce of shame being attached to it…

So, if not a recent phenomenon, then why has humanity been in a state of such loss, (if that’s the right word), for so long? I believe that it is because we do not understand our place in the world. We question why we are here, what our purpose is, and what this- life– is all about. We experience a sense of loss for what we think we should know about our lives, but we are actually a very long way from having any answers to…

With so many questions yet so few answers, our lives can feel confusing hard, and uncomfortable, which, in many cases, will inevitably lead to the development of mental health conditions, such as Depression and Anxiety.

To overcome the mental health crisis that we have found ourselves in, we need to ‘train’ ourselves to do less overthinking, and to express greater gratitude for the simple things in life, the things that we, all too often, take for granted. To do this, we can refer to our younger selves. The versions of ourselves who would wake up every day filled with a sense of joy and excitement, and who would be curious about this world in which we inhabit, asking questions to understand it, but not letting the things that we lack answers to drive us to, quite literal, madness.

Why should we look to our childhood selves for inspiration?

Because, we were all undoubtedly happier back then, and, want to know the good news? We all have the power within us to get back to that place- back to our childhood selves who didn’t feel the need to question our place in the world constantly, and, back to our childhood selves who thought all the light thoughts that got us into trouble for giggling, not all the dark one’s that make us feel like hiding ourselves away.

So, although easier said than done, let’s all try to do less overthinking and more living.

We’re here, and, whilst we might not understand why we are here in this moment, just being here in and of itself is a miracle, and one that we should be making the most of every… single…. day.

My challenge for you then is to:

OVERTHINK LESS

LIVE MORE ❤