This comment was made by someone called TomB on this blog yesterday. I hope he will forgive me for lightly editing it for use here, but the sentiments are ones I found myself strongly agreeing with:
It's ... the complete lack of awareness that the economic system the government values so much is what is causing so much mental ill health [that concerns me].
There has been a push by the previous government to offload mental health awareness onto businesses and employers, which has helped some, but the government needs to accept that if they want a healthy workforce to, let's admit it, sell to businesses, they need to look after our physical and mental wellbeing.
Why is it the government's responsibility? Because the economy they are presiding over is not compatible with humans.
Both parents have to work, for example.
Families struggle to spend time together.
Money troubles contribute to divorce rates.
We are separated and isolated by work.
Surveillance capitalism is constantly pushing its way into our lives, demanding our and our children's attention.
The social and family groups that humans rely on for their mental health are pulled apart and invaded by all-pervasive neoliberalism, an ideology that says society doesn't exist whilst causing enormous damage to it.
It's the least the government could do, [to accept responsibi;oty for all that].
I very much agree.
I intend to make a video around this theme. Count this as a primer.
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All politicians think the thing we all value most is freedom. It’s not It’s security.
It isn’t either/or, though.
Government policy after World War II, when Britain was effectively bankrupt, was such that the government provided the National Health Service for improved health, a welfare state for improved financial security, free dentistry for improved teeth, affordable housing for home security, low-cost energy and water for improved energy security.
Today’s governments (including the Tories) have sold everything, the private sector maximising profits, resulting in insecurity over many parts of people’s live. The government is wholly responsible, it is a political choice.
Martin Lewis has talked about the links between Poverty and mental Health as well
Might be worth looking at what he says.
Oh yes, David Smail (rip) a psychotherapist /Prof at Nottingham (as well as many other) made similar points – looking forwards to the video.
I read a book a few years back,( sorry but I can’t recall the title.)
A quite depressing book. The main takeaway being that almost half the nation was on some form of medication for depression and / or stress.
We are a very sick nation.
Even children are suffering mentally who then grow into sick adults. The main driver of all this anxiety is inequality. The latter ,making for fear and a feeling of inadequacy. Until this changes we will continue the doom loop.
It’s also costing us dear to deal with the fallout. £300 bn in 2022 alone, double the NHS budget.
https://www.statista.com/topics/8164/mental-health-in-the-uk/#topicOverview
It’s a widely held view that our society makes us sick. We aren’t meant to spend so much time apart from our children. We aren’t meant to be this competitive and hierarchical. Indigenous societies don’t suffer mental illness until modernity reaches them. I understand that we have to live like this to keep the whole circus running, but things can be done to make life a bit easier. No member of a tribe would go hungry if others had food. Why should they in our ‘advanced’ societies?
Much to agree with
Thank you, Richard, for highlighting TomB’s insightful comments. I wholeheartedly agree.
At the heart of this issue lies the fundamental importance of meeting people’s needs, both collectively and individually. When basic human needs, such as financial security, meaningful connections, and time with family, are unmet or constantly undermined, it’s inevitable that our mental health suffers.
A significant challenge we face is the pervasive emphasis on individual responsibility without acknowledging the structural pressures that leave many struggling. This focus can feel like a subtle form of blame, implying people lack emotional agility rather than recognising that our current systems simply aren’t fit for purpose.
I strongly recommend reading James Davies’ book Sedated: How Modern Capitalism Created Our Mental Health Crisis, which compellingly argues how societal structures and policies directly impact mental wellbeing. His work offers valuable insights into how we might shift our collective thinking from individual fault to social responsibility.
Addressing mental health meaningfully requires us to reshape the environments and economic conditions we live and work within. Only then will individual emotional agility and adaptability naturally flourish.
Thanks
I wholeheartedly agree with TomB and Catherine.
I would also like to strongly recommend the book ‘The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture’ by Dr Gabor Maté.
I am only just starting it, but I am familiar with Dr Maté’s work which has been fundamental to my understanding of own my lifelong struggles and more recent onset of disabling ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
You will find a wealth of evidence and information on the interconnected processes which contribute to mental and physical illness (a bio-psycho-socio-spiritual approach, I think it would be called) and a vision for ways forward.
As a side note, I don’t believe the likes of Starmer, Streeting and Trump were born with empathy bypasses, power addiction or whatever they are suffering with and are now inflicting on us – they represent the toxic effects of a toxic culture.
Thank you
“The economy they are presiding over is not compatible with humans.”
Can’t think of a better summation of the outcomes of neoliberalism.
Perhaps this phrase could be “weaponised” – good ammunition for pro-humanity parties?
See also: Some Humans Ain’t Human by John Prine
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1XRrwHnK-m8 for the lyrics
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uIWotODqidE for the song.