Often in our culture we can often view mental health as a standalone struggle. “If I am depressed then I need therapy and medication, which will help me get back to a normal life.” I’ve been reading the Myth of Normal by Daniel and Gabor Mate. It discusses how we can often overlook the impact factors such as what our diet, social climate, inflation, and living situation have on our mental health. The recent rise in cost of food, rent, and pretty much everything else we spend money on has had a significant impact of people’s mental health in my opinion. I notice more people working more than one job to keep up, commuting further, cutting back on expenses which give joy and uplift the mind. All this affects our well-being and the texture of our thoughts and feelings. I view a therapist’s role to include raising awareness about the impact of socio-economic issues and pushing for change in these areas, in addition to the skills and compassion they bring to their clinical work.
Arsalan