They say overall happiness in the United States has been on the decline for years. We have more than we have ever had, yet we do not seem to have enough to be happy with. While our technology and connectivity only get better year after year, our mental health is arguably getting worse. Now, I am not going to get into the research or data that backs this up. I know it is out there, but you can seek it out if you so choose. I am simply discussing a few of my ideas on mental health. I believe that sadness is much more common than we openly allow it to be, and we need to address it so that upcoming generations can be better and healthier.
One of our biggest mental health problems is that we diagnose and prescribe medications rather than talking about it. We do not teach kids what it all means, nor how to openly talk about it and understand it. We have a strange stigma in the United States around mental illness. I even think that we almost romanticize anxiety and depression without really getting to the bottom of it as a widespread issue. More importantly, we do not teach kids that it is okay to not be okay. We have so many people who are unhappy, and then they blame things, or themselves, and it results in medication or even violent actions.
How do we solve this problem? No one knows right now. Our country is large enough that any widespread problem will be very difficult to solve in a short amount of time. However, if we continue to pretend that it is not a problem, it is only going to get worse in the years to come. My one idea would be to introduce mental health as a topic in public schools, K-12. We begin a massive project to provide mandatory weekly counseling sessions centered on mental health rather than academics and college applications. Think of it like therapy. Everyone will go, but how much or how little you share is entirely up to you. Many public universities have similar things available, but we need to nip it in the bud and allow children to talk about what is on their minds.
Of course, this is an expensive idea. Schools need to hire trained professionals, for one. Without getting too political here, one option is to take some money going towards military spending and move it over to education. But, that’s none of my business.
Point is, we need to really address the problem. Our current solution is prescribing drugs. I’m sure many of you have seen that new video going around that talks about how the United States is by far the biggest consumer of prescription drugs and medications. Other countries do not use nearly as many drugs for mental illnesses, and it seems to be a lesser occurring problem elsewhere. Perhaps drugs are not actually the solution, but again that’s none of my business.
Young or old, we are not always at our healthiest when it comes to mental or emotional state. However, there are ways to get better. Talk about it with someone. Even when you feel alone, there is always someone who will listen. Heck, I'll listen.
