"What if modern life is incompatible with mental wellbeing for most people? What if the age of technology and globalisation that we are living through is driving a negative sea change in the wellbeing of our communities? After all, we have seen a financial crisis, falling real incomes, rising levels of temporary employment, the ‘middle’ squeezed, a housing crisis and a myriad other economic and social upheavals in recent decades.
On top of this, social media has entered our lives, opening us up to more information and opportunities, but also more scrutiny. The gap between the lives that most of us actually lead, and the gilded lifestyles we have access to via the media, Twitter or Instagram, and aspire to, is bigger than ever before. It has even created a modern anxiety – Fear of Missing Out Syndrome (Fomo) and we are increasingly trying to make sure we don’t miss out by hooking ourselves to the credit drip." Richard Carlton-Crabtree
The above quote spoke to me on so many levels. The first level was that it is very relate-able. But the second level was the thought that our generation is just not equipped for it. We are emotionally immature and unprepared for the life that has been thrust upon us. But the 'millennial' generation seems so quick to blame everyone else rather than try to adapt and accept life as it is. We cannot change it, so if you can't beat them you must join them. The notion that "we didn't ask for this" is valid, but we didn't ask to be born either, and we made the most of that! People in the war did not ask for it, but they kept calm and carried on. And we have the nerve to moan about hardship?
I suffer from mental illness because of the pressures of life and the strains that my health has on everything that I do - I wouldn't have had to worry 40 years ago as my partner's wages could have paid the bills, but now we both need to work to afford a home and a family together. And yes, that is society's fault, it is the politicians' fault and it is inflation's fault - but can I do anything about it? No.
I can vote for the people I think would best rectify the problems, but I do not have the power myself as an individual - I can only make the changes that affect me directly and are within my power. So what have I done?
- I take great advantage of the NHS in the UK - they provide me with the medication and treatment I need in order to work. It might not be fast, but it is free and it's the best I've got! And I am so grateful.
- I explain everything to my employers and anyone that it might affect so that they can better understand my issues and make reasonable adjustments, which is thankfully part of the UK law - no discrimination, another thing I am grateful for.
- I meditate so that if I am worrying about things, I can try to help my mind and train it not to think about things that are unhelpful and counter-productive. Meditation is a tool that anyone can utilise, and for me it has been powerful and helpful. It's not a spiritual thing for me, just a tool for relaxing and training my mind.
I realise that not everyone is able to do these things. My mother for example is disabled and uses the benefit system to survive, but again that is another thing that is imperfect, but it still exists! We are very lucky to have it, and should not take it for granted. Yes your quality of life is affected by being disabled, but you do have a roof over your head, doctors for free, help with your bills and free advice. You can even get free financial advice from the local authorities if you are confused or unable to correctly balance your benefits. It is an imperfect system, but it is something that other countries are not privy to.
I believe that mental health has risen due to the fact that technology and change has some so quickly into our lives that we are unequipped to deal with it, and so is our society, our government and our elders. We as a generation need to stand up, grow up and get on with our lives, because we do not have the power to change anything - YET!
There will come a time when our generation have more of a say, but if you keep making yourselves look weak and whiny, no-one is going to take you seriously. We have mental health issues, but we can overcome them better than anyone before us, because we have the answers at our fingertips, and we have a support network of other people who understand.
Be the change you want to see in the world.
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