We need to talk about mental health
In the past two weeks American fashion designer Kate Spade and world traveler and chef Anthony Bourdain committed suicide. As people scramble for answers and try to understand why such seemingly happy people would choose to end their lives, a deeper overwhelming theme has once again bubbled to the surface, the state of mental health care around the world.
Mental health unfortunately is still an extremely touchy subject. I have written extensively about my own battles with depression, anxiety and suicide attempts. I have been open about my mother's battle with bipolar disorder, dissociative identity disorder and her eventual suicide. People consider talking about mental issues to either be brave or stupid. Dealing with mental health gets you labeled as "crazy." Suicide is seen as a last selfish act. These labels keep many people from being open about their struggles with emotional and mental health.
More than 300 million people suffer from depression world wide. It is not known what causes this ailment or why so many people suffer from it. Therefore, there is no clear cut way to cure it or even treat it. What may work for some, may not work for others.
A recent Reuters article suggested a need for new and better antidepressant medications. While this is one factor, antidepressants alone will not curb the rise in suicides. First, antidepressants do not work for all those in need of mental health treatment. This is not to dismiss the effectiveness for those who do find relief, rather that it is not the only issue. Second, the side effects discourage many people from taking antidepressants. Insomnia, loss of libido, loss of appetite, weight loss, suicidal thoughts, etc. are just some of the most common side effects from antidepressants. It is hard to convince people to take a medication that may make their thoughts or actions worse. Third, the increasing cost of antidepressants is a major deterrent for many already struggling with the growing cost of living and stagnant wages. Sometimes medication just cannot be factored into monthly expenses.
Lost in the "there's a pill for that" approach to mental health is the need for therapy. Medication alone will not be as effective as counseling. Medication will provide a fix while therapy will work on the deeper long term issues. Until the issues that cause someone to suffer are addressed it will be hard to overcome them. The problem is not every medical insurance company covers the high cost of therapy. Even therapist who provide payment scales cannot insure that every patient can cover the cost of seeing a counselor every week. Medical insurance should cover the mind as well as the body for the complete overall health of every individual.
Most troubling of all is the fact that mental health is still considered taboo. A person suffering from mental health issues is considered to have personal failings or a lack of faith. No one considers societal, familial, genetic, environmental factors that could contribute to someone suffering from any form of mental ailments. It would mean having to have a bigger discussion on what effects daily life have on the human mind. How does our interpretation of things play a factor into how they effect us later in life? Moreover, can we as a society accept those who have mental health issues as readily as we do someone with physical ailments? This would make it easier to discuss and make people feel more comfortable being open when they are suffering with mental health issues.
Mental health is a serious issue. One that is sadly overlooked until someone takes their life or takes the lives of others. We need money invested in treatment facilities, medication and therapy. We need open, honest dialogue and an understanding patient world willing to accept that mental health is just as important as physical health. Mental health issues are not the failing of a "crazy person" but rather a common occurrence around the world in every race, religion, ethnicity and country. When we accept that fact first, we can start to make progress.
Mental health unfortunately is still an extremely touchy subject. I have written extensively about my own battles with depression, anxiety and suicide attempts. I have been open about my mother's battle with bipolar disorder, dissociative identity disorder and her eventual suicide. People consider talking about mental issues to either be brave or stupid. Dealing with mental health gets you labeled as "crazy." Suicide is seen as a last selfish act. These labels keep many people from being open about their struggles with emotional and mental health.
More than 300 million people suffer from depression world wide. It is not known what causes this ailment or why so many people suffer from it. Therefore, there is no clear cut way to cure it or even treat it. What may work for some, may not work for others.
A recent Reuters article suggested a need for new and better antidepressant medications. While this is one factor, antidepressants alone will not curb the rise in suicides. First, antidepressants do not work for all those in need of mental health treatment. This is not to dismiss the effectiveness for those who do find relief, rather that it is not the only issue. Second, the side effects discourage many people from taking antidepressants. Insomnia, loss of libido, loss of appetite, weight loss, suicidal thoughts, etc. are just some of the most common side effects from antidepressants. It is hard to convince people to take a medication that may make their thoughts or actions worse. Third, the increasing cost of antidepressants is a major deterrent for many already struggling with the growing cost of living and stagnant wages. Sometimes medication just cannot be factored into monthly expenses.
Lost in the "there's a pill for that" approach to mental health is the need for therapy. Medication alone will not be as effective as counseling. Medication will provide a fix while therapy will work on the deeper long term issues. Until the issues that cause someone to suffer are addressed it will be hard to overcome them. The problem is not every medical insurance company covers the high cost of therapy. Even therapist who provide payment scales cannot insure that every patient can cover the cost of seeing a counselor every week. Medical insurance should cover the mind as well as the body for the complete overall health of every individual.
Most troubling of all is the fact that mental health is still considered taboo. A person suffering from mental health issues is considered to have personal failings or a lack of faith. No one considers societal, familial, genetic, environmental factors that could contribute to someone suffering from any form of mental ailments. It would mean having to have a bigger discussion on what effects daily life have on the human mind. How does our interpretation of things play a factor into how they effect us later in life? Moreover, can we as a society accept those who have mental health issues as readily as we do someone with physical ailments? This would make it easier to discuss and make people feel more comfortable being open when they are suffering with mental health issues.
Mental health is a serious issue. One that is sadly overlooked until someone takes their life or takes the lives of others. We need money invested in treatment facilities, medication and therapy. We need open, honest dialogue and an understanding patient world willing to accept that mental health is just as important as physical health. Mental health issues are not the failing of a "crazy person" but rather a common occurrence around the world in every race, religion, ethnicity and country. When we accept that fact first, we can start to make progress.
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