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Original poster

Why is everything about MH these days?

103 replies

JaneFondue · 22/03/2023 09:01

I am really tired of the way everyone is constantly talking about their mental health journey, even in professional areas.

I needed to hire a photographer for a conference. Was recommended someone by a friend. Her professional page is all about her mental health journey, her 'depression' after every shoot, her existential angst. No information about prices, packages, testimonials. I didn't hire her but why would anyone?

Not the first time I have seen inappropriate mentions of MH. So many young people appear to splash it across their social media profiles. It just makes me wary of hiring them.

OP posts:
ssd · 22/03/2023 10:13

In my workplace wellbeing is very important, lots of chats about it and links to various sites and a dedicated phone number to call. All sounds very good. Until you are actually working, and are really stressed due to bad management and lack of training and staff. And you speak out and aren't listened to, and you then become the problem.

I suspect a lot of workplaces are like mine these days. They pay lip service to it, to comply with relevant legislation. But they don't see any need to actually put it into practice.

OrangeKnot · 22/03/2023 10:18

There’s a lot of it about. It’s pretty dull to have to wade through when you just want a task done by a colleague.

Doyoumind · 22/03/2023 10:18

FlippingMarvelous · 22/03/2023 10:07

I think a big problem is that it’s almost become ‘trendy’ to say you have MH problems. A lot of the time what they are describing isn’t true anxiety, depression etc.
It then ends up watered down and trivialised for the people who really suffer these conditions.

Yes, this is my concern. It trivialises the serious challenges those with diagnosed, severe depression or anxiety face when people are self diagnosing or elevating what are normal emotions to the status of a mental health crisis.

FrangipaniBlue · 22/03/2023 10:24

Yes, this is my concern. It trivialises the serious challenges those with diagnosed, severe depression or anxiety face when people are self diagnosing or elevating what are normal emotions to the status of a mental health crisis.

This is exactly what I was going to say.

I can also see that it's probably contributing to the issues with the NHS being able to deal with mental health issues.

add to that it's starting to make people roll their eyes as soon as someone says "I've got mental health" which is awful for those who genuinely have serious, medically diagnosed, mental health conditions!

MyriadOfTravels · 22/03/2023 10:30

I can also see that it's probably contributing to the issues with the NHS being able to deal with mental health issues.

Oh come on!
No one is receiving support from MH services on the NHS because they’ve ‘self diagnosed’ and have normal emotions.
People are referred to MH services by their GP after a diagnosis.

CBT etc… are (as far as I know self referring). And tbh that’s good because I think most of not all of us can do with learning more about regulating our emotions s anyway.

Original poster
JaneFondue · 22/03/2023 10:35

loononastick · 22/03/2023 09:50

I completely agree. I don't think the constant talking about MH is helping people because it drags everyone down. It's fine to feel it and share it with your nearest and dearest but putting it on your business Instagram? No thanks!

Funnily enough, I spotted someone on Instragram the other day who has changed career/set up her own business in the last year or so. Every post was talking about how much she lacked confidence in treading her new path. How she wasn't sure if she was good enough to be doing what she's doing and how she compares herself to everyone else. I can't see how that would inspire confidence in her customers! At the end of the day, she makes stuff and sells it. If people like what they see they will use her. Talk about overthink it!!!

This is exactly what I mean. So many creatives filling their professional spaces with introspection about impostor syndrome and confused sexuality. I tend to hire people who don't talk about their " feelz" and simply tell me what I need to know. And why does everyone have to be on a journey?

PMSL at sharing about haemorrhoids. We should make it a thing to share uncool diseases. "My journey with the rash that refused to go away...."

OP posts:
Saltywalruss · 22/03/2023 10:36

Beaverbridge · 22/03/2023 09:33

I thought I was the only person to feel MH is all that's talked about and I know it's frowned upon to pour scorn on it. But surely everyone suffers from some sort of MH symptoms?

Yes, everyone has mental health and everyone has physical health. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad.

Phonemonkey2023 · 22/03/2023 10:36

ssd · 22/03/2023 10:13

In my workplace wellbeing is very important, lots of chats about it and links to various sites and a dedicated phone number to call. All sounds very good. Until you are actually working, and are really stressed due to bad management and lack of training and staff. And you speak out and aren't listened to, and you then become the problem.

I suspect a lot of workplaces are like mine these days. They pay lip service to it, to comply with relevant legislation. But they don't see any need to actually put it into practice.

💯

frozendaisy · 22/03/2023 10:38

More understanding so you don't come home to find your parent with their head in the oven?

Social media doesn't help most posts are to feel superior in some way whether it's pets, holidays, gym session, new kitchen, the list is endless. So if you stay away from that that's a good start.

JamSandle · 22/03/2023 10:40

I prefer the environment we're in where people can be human than the cold corporate world it's always been.

Original poster
JaneFondue · 22/03/2023 10:42

frozendaisy · 22/03/2023 10:38

More understanding so you don't come home to find your parent with their head in the oven?

Social media doesn't help most posts are to feel superior in some way whether it's pets, holidays, gym session, new kitchen, the list is endless. So if you stay away from that that's a good start.

But is it needed in a business setting? What people share in their personal life is up to them. I am only talking about oversharing on the workplace.

I can't stay away from social media, as I need to be on it for my job, sadly.

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sweetcomicvalentine · 22/03/2023 10:43

I actually have severe and enduring MH that has a huge impact on my daily ability to function - ie, I only leave the house once or twice a week when absolutely essential, and have been under a crisis team for several months - and find it really helps that people are happy to talk, I find people are more willing to try and understand and support.

I’d still be very scared of disclosing to a workplace or colleagues - but on the whole find that because we are able to have more open conversations people seem more comfortable with me being me, rather than having to put a mask on all the time (which is exhausting in itself).

Original poster
JaneFondue · 22/03/2023 10:43

ssd · 22/03/2023 10:13

In my workplace wellbeing is very important, lots of chats about it and links to various sites and a dedicated phone number to call. All sounds very good. Until you are actually working, and are really stressed due to bad management and lack of training and staff. And you speak out and aren't listened to, and you then become the problem.

I suspect a lot of workplaces are like mine these days. They pay lip service to it, to comply with relevant legislation. But they don't see any need to actually put it into practice.

Agree with this too. Cheaper for workplaces to chat endlessly instead of improving conditions and management.

OP posts:
Marsyas · 22/03/2023 10:44

ssd · 22/03/2023 10:13

In my workplace wellbeing is very important, lots of chats about it and links to various sites and a dedicated phone number to call. All sounds very good. Until you are actually working, and are really stressed due to bad management and lack of training and staff. And you speak out and aren't listened to, and you then become the problem.

I suspect a lot of workplaces are like mine these days. They pay lip service to it, to comply with relevant legislation. But they don't see any need to actually put it into practice.

It is called wellbeing washing and apparently more than a third of businesses are at it:

More than a third of businesses are 'wellbeing washing', study shows

Research finds that only a third of employees deem workplace mental health support good enough, despite employers publicly supporting awareness days and events

https://www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/article/1803077/third-businesses-wellbeing-washing-study-shows

notafruit · 22/03/2023 10:45

I stopped going to a local group, related to my hobby as they've started advertising it as a mental health support group.

I have no need for a MH support group, and don't want people to think I do. I wouldn't go if it was an alcoholic support group or for cancer as these conditions don't affect me. I have sympathies with those who struggle. I don't mind talking to my friends who are having issues. I just don't want to have a group suddenly re-branded to MH from a craft based hobby, and sit with a bunch of randoms, who don't participate in the hobby, but just sit eating biscuits talking about depression.

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 22/03/2023 10:49

Chilloutsnow · 22/03/2023 09:09

Mainly just people making up excuses about how they conduct themselves. It’s okay to be depressed or anxious but it’s not okay to have psychosis or any form of severe and enduring mental Illness. No, no, that’s definitely not okay.

This

I think for many people now only a certain kind of Instagram-able MH is acceptable Sad

I think also OP another reason I'd be wary in this case is it's almost setting out an excuse or get out clause for not delivering on some way on a service you agreed and were to pay for . "I can't help I had anxiety the morning of your wedding and couldn't leave the house " sad face kind of thing

hanahsaunt · 22/03/2023 10:50

As an employer it is utterly infuriating to get an occupational health report that states someone has mental health and not fit to return to work. We all have mental health. What I need to know is do they have a mental health illness and if so, what, and what adjustments can I make to enable them to regain their health. Now I get self-certs saying 'flare-up of mental health'. It demeans completely the concept of recognising, understanding, and helping people with mental health ILLNESS.

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 22/03/2023 10:50

AgnesX · 22/03/2023 09:13

People are encouraged to talk about and without being judged. Generally people are empathetic.

Another way of looking at it is that misery loves company.

Unless you're a MH practitioner, not on your business page surely? Frankly it's not my concern as a customer

sweetcomicvalentine · 22/03/2023 10:50

I don’t talk all the time about e.g. having CPTSD, I would hope there’s more to me than my diagnosis, but at the same time I don’t think I should have to pretend I don’t have it, or feel ashamed of it - if I’m with someone I know I can I trust I’ll be somewhat open with them if I can (to a limit) and if they suggest that they’d be comfortable with that.

PercyMcPigface · 22/03/2023 10:52

I think you're right. Another example is how my teenagers keep being told that they must be suffering with their mental health after the Covid pandemic. Now I've no doubt some children did, and for them it must be terrible. But my two certainly loved it and already talk nostalgically about their "time off" - their mental health has definitely not been affected!

Itstimeforlunch707 · 22/03/2023 10:54

ssd · 22/03/2023 10:13

In my workplace wellbeing is very important, lots of chats about it and links to various sites and a dedicated phone number to call. All sounds very good. Until you are actually working, and are really stressed due to bad management and lack of training and staff. And you speak out and aren't listened to, and you then become the problem.

I suspect a lot of workplaces are like mine these days. They pay lip service to it, to comply with relevant legislation. But they don't see any need to actually put it into practice.

Well said ssd.

It’s all bullshit. All this encouragement and publicity about “reaching out and asking for help” only to find there’s very little help available when you do.

704703hey · 22/03/2023 10:58

It's great there's less stigma around it.

When I was small my sibling developed a mental illness and my parents were embarrassed. It's different nowadays.

Buzzinwithbez · 22/03/2023 11:02

ssd · 22/03/2023 10:13

In my workplace wellbeing is very important, lots of chats about it and links to various sites and a dedicated phone number to call. All sounds very good. Until you are actually working, and are really stressed due to bad management and lack of training and staff. And you speak out and aren't listened to, and you then become the problem.

I suspect a lot of workplaces are like mine these days. They pay lip service to it, to comply with relevant legislation. But they don't see any need to actually put it into practice.

This.
It's become an individual's problem when a lot of the time it's a normal response to bring in an awful environment.
This applies in workplaces, schools and the way wider society as a whole is going.

Sarvanga38 · 22/03/2023 11:03

I also think as a society we’ve gone too far from stiff upper lip to ridiculous levels of navel-gazing introspection. There should be a happy medium.

Absolutely. The phrase 'my mental health' inserted in to every bloody TV interview, programme and so many aspects of everyday life is fingernails down a blackboard to me now, and is turning people away from empathy rather than towards.

Absolutely agree that people who are struggling should be able to talk openly and receive sympathy, but come on - not everyone is struggling and the 'misery loves company' phrase a PP used is bang on. Feeling anxious is not medically diagnosable anxiety.

People need some resilience to realise that bad stuff happens in life, and for the most part we need to be able to deal with this.

Phonemonkey2023 · 22/03/2023 11:03

Matt knows the score.

Why is everything about MH these days?