Our Mental Health System is Broken
Here’s how the current model works:
First, you notice to yourself, “I’m feeling depressed,” or, perhaps a life situation happens that doesn’t go as you expect.
Second, you think, “Maybe I should get some help…” Next, it’s “Where do I get help?”
Then it’s “Will people judge me if I get help?”
Then, “Maybe I should just try to go through it myself.”
Then friends say, “Hey, are you okay? You seem off?”
Then it’s “Maybe I should get help, but where? Also, do I need insurance? Where will I find the time? What if my therapist and me don’t click or they can’t help?”
And so on, and so on…
It’s sad and appalling to me. No wonder addiction and suicide rates are hovering around all time highs!!!
So here’s a different model that I imagine:
It’s 1st grade: You’re introduced to the concept of Mental Fitness. It’s a standard part of the curriculum just like phys ed.
You go through progressively more complex coursework throughout grade school, middle school, and high school learning how to master emotions, use stress to your advantage, and build lasting relationships.
Then, perhaps a life situation happens that you didn’t expect…. But now, you’re armed with a mindset of resilience, agency, and confidence.
You turn that life situation into a growth opportunity and prove to yourself you’re worthy of your own (already largely positive) self-talk. You continue to better your Mental Fitness throughout your lifetime building on the principles you learned in school.
I truly wonder how many lives we could save if we just adopted this approach???