To think we wouldn't have as many MH problems if we lived differently

[Ginlette]

Panic attacks, anxiety, depression...

How much of this is happening because of the way our society is set up?

If we all lived in fairly small communities and had good relationships with friends and family near by, would we have these issues? If we had stable work that didn't feel like an impossible workload and paid fairly?

I'm even beginning to wonder whether "positives" of modern living are actually subtly undermining our MH as a society.

• The obvious examples being the Internet and phones, but also..
• Mobility: looks good on paper, but maybe the idea of the world being your oyster subconsciously is anxiety inducing?
• Travel: fun but frequent travel again contributes
• Home ownership and improvements, style & beauty inprovements: again this idea of we have choice, but is it contributing to a low level sense of always chasing?
• More freedom of partner and freedom to have children or be childfree: but does it create a "What if?" sensation past generations wouldn't have had fluttering at the edges of their mind?
• Remote working/self employed: I have done this for over a decade but does it maybe contribute to a sense of no base, no community?

I do think our society and how we live affects our mental health or has the potential to. However I cannot envisage a society set up where there isn’t some affect on mental health, not a realistic one anyway. All of the things you mention could have positive impact on people too IMO.

It's about choices. I see lots with MH issues but they choose to live their life on social media, and care far too much about others opinions and "likes".

Life has always been about choices.

Yes i agree with you op

Many of the things in your list are positive led gor my mental health

Well historically it hasn’t, for many.
I certainly don’t want to idealise lack of choice though! A lot of people will have had miserable lives, work, marriages, communities, and no way of getting out.

I agree mostly, but I don't think the ability to travel creates mental health issues for most. I love travelling, and being on holiday with my family creates such a calm sense of wellbeing, and recharges us all for the next few months before we can get away again. We holiday in the UK and abroad, and everytime we come back feeling relaxed and happier

Everyone is different and some peoples mental health would really suffer in different circumstances. The prime example being lockdown - some folk really thrived and found a huge improvement in their mental health, some became really mentally unwell.

I do think the vast majority of people see an improvement in their mental health when they come off social media though.

People are too quick to claim mental health issues. Most cases it’s a bad day/week/not getting own way.

I don't have a community of people around me and my family, for various reasons, and it is incredibly stressful and anxiety-inducing. Humans are a social species, and we are all better off belonging to a small community, one way or another. I'm on the cusp of moving house and one of my plans to help me settle in is to join local community groups, the more local the better. I'd like to get to know my neighbours and be part of something bigger than just my four walls.

I also have WFH for years, and I have traded a sense of belonging/work community for the flexibility and freedom it gives me. It's the only way our day to day family life could function right now, but it's been a big sacrifice for me, I'm discovering.

I'm going to be intentional about what community I want to become a part of, and really commit to it. I think I'll feel better, healthier, and happier when I do.

Unpredictable work and income, zero hours contracts, and front line services have always led to anxiety.

Teachers and nurses and other caring professions have always had burnout but it does feel like more now.

I left teaching recently after 20 years because I couldn't cope with the workload anymore and I was having panic attacks and I'm definitely not the only one.

When I had some MH issues and spoke with some counsellors , one of them felt that the fact we often don’t talk anymore is a bit if a factor. As in small communities years ago , people chipped in etc and sat down and talked. Not just idle chit char.
also i believe more pressure now, years ago most never had much, now your often judged on the car you drive , are you live etc.
MH issues have risen so there has to be some factors from modern day life and its not all down to being recognised more.

I've said YABU because of the rise of MH conditions in children more indicative of environmental factors rather than societal

I'm over 50 and have noticed this too

I believe children are growing up without the freedom to learn by experience by this I
Mean being free without adults nearby for at least
Some of the time

Schools are to rigid and focused On numbers expectations are too high. Raising the bar does not make kids more able. They need practical skills and creative jobs. Not every kid can pass maths at grade 7!!

Older people have worries about affording to retire. House prices etc cost of
Living is too high compared to wages

Job application processes are ridiculous now for the most basic of jobs. Forms and stupid surveys to fill Out

Teens can't get
Experience in a workplace and earn own cash until they are a lot older than I was at same age or at least it's a lot harder. I was working at 15 part Time in a shop now it's seems so much harder to get anything until 18 No one reply's to applications.

Everything just feels harder. Phone calls are all automated and take forever. Customer service is crap
No Humans to speak to.

And yes we can be too isolated. People can't afford to remain near family and friends.

Too much comparing on SM
To Much "my view is right" out there.
Tho the internet is useful
In other ways. Raising awareness of issues is
Good.

Nhs is dying. Literally
No support for MH.

I'm in a similar situation and after all these years I do question whether the flexibility and freedom has been worth it. Its great obviously but I'm beginning tonwonder whether humans actually benefit from total freedom.

We've got a grossly unequal society where housing and work is insecure.
We can't trust the people who are supposed to lead us, protect us, care for us if we are unwell, educate our kids.
We still face racism, homophobia, misogyny, transphobia.
There's so much hate and division it's no wonder a huge amount of us are feeling anxious and depressed.

Remote working/self employed: I have done this for over a decade but does it maybe contribute to a sense of no base, no community?

I agree with most of your thinking except this. Working for 'the man' is a massive detriment imo.

I think people were happier in smaller communities where everyone had a job or role, ie baker, fishmonger, butcher, ironmonger, shoe repairer etc, they made their money, contributed to their society but weren't beholden to anyone.

I’m about to go out but your post is very interesting and I did like your fluttering at the edge of the mind part.

Life was very much more basic, even when I was a girl in the 1970’s. No where near so much stuff existed. There has always been envy I mean I can remember wanting a Chopper bike but not getting one but just less actual stuff to be envious of. One girl at my school went to Disneyland in 1978 it just was not on many peoples radars at all because there was no chance. I know lots of people still can’t afford it but now I have met loads of people who have been.

My parents live in a village these days and I went to visit. The neighbour came around for dinner... My uncle dropped in overnight... I spent a week just helping out in the garden, working on some of the house stuff, eating together and talking together... I just felt really at peace. Living like that would probably come with its own problems (boredom, etc) but I did think maybe this is a better way of living?

i am not sure
the names of the conditions have changed over time
they might have been neurosis or hysteria in the past perhaps?
nervous diseases

I relate to this. My issue is I long for community and support but I can't find the right kind for me.
I live rural and the people I interact with it's all going to the pub drinking toxic views and very unhealthy ways.
I know these aren't the only ones that exist I just have no idea how to find my tribe 🤷🏼‍♀️

Completely agree. Everything online means we don’t interact with each other as much in real life, technology is meant to make things easier but in many ways it adds a layer of work. I would welcome going back to a less virtual time! I’m a teacher so I am with people all day but I still get frustrated with all the time I have to spend on a computer and I’m good at using them!

I’ve always thought that for women having the choice to ‘have it all’ (children and a career/job), really means having it all to do.

Well, total freedom would be not needing to work at all and the ability to use my time as I see fit, every day. 😂

But, for example, I'm going on a work trip soon and although I'll be working long hours for a full week, I'll be face to face with my colleagues and I'll be able to form stronger bonds with them as a result. I'm looking forward to it.

Yes that's a good point. Many of us would probably have been labelled "hysterics" back in the day

Universal basic income has a very positive effect on mh.