keep asking the nasty question

Written By Thaïs Robertson

The acclaimed Dr Stephany Sarkis (1) argues that ‘feeling overwhelmed has become the new normal’; and statistics presented in a commissioned paper to the UK Government by Carl Barker state: within a week period 1:6 adults and 1:8 children (aged 5-19) have experienced a ‘common mental disorder’, such as anxiety and depression. Notably, both of these statements were made before the COVID-19 lockdown and the Black Lives Matter protests and related media frenzy. Which, undoubtedly, have captured mass social attention and increased interpersonal stress and anxiety (no blame here – just stating it’s an anxious time).

We really must start to fully acknowledge this issue, as the statistics continue to demonstrate a worrying increase in anxiety, stress, and depression. Infact:

‘anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems in the UK and it is increasing. Yet it remains under-reported, under-diagnosed and undertreated.’ Mentalhealth.org

Furthermore, despite the concerning statistics, we still experience the irritating and unhelpful stigma felt towards mental health; with many Authority figures seemingly still ignoring the issue. Dr Sarkis (2) also highlights in Forbes that even the current US President appears to downplay American’s mental health:  (regarding COVID-19) ‘Peter Alexander from NBC News asked President Trump, “What do you say to Americans who are scared though?” The response from the President “I’d say that you’re a terrible reporter, that’s what I’d say” and later to the same reporter about his aforementioned question “I think it’s a very nasty question”.’

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I think that it was a very important, fair worded, and appropriate question for the President of a country during a press conference specifically about COVID-19! Note, my point here, isn’t to criticise Donald Trump per say – just to point out that I am disappointed that he, as the US President, didn’t have a better answer. It highlights to me, that the anxiety, stress, and fear felt by citizens was not an important concern – worthy of having a planned answer, let alone worth being addressed specifically in the press statement. The apparent lack of consideration for people’s, and therefore society’s, mental health really frustrates me. Not only because I care psychologically, but also because the mental health of society is an economic and practical concern.

The London School of Economics ‘Mental disorders have diverse and far-reaching social impacts, including homelessness, higher rates of imprisonment, poor educational opportunities and outcomes, lack of employment and limited income-generating opportunities’.

This isn’t just an effect felt in the Western World: the World Health Organisation poses that mental health accounts for 8.8% of ‘disease burden’ in lower / lower-middle income countries; compared with malaria at 3.2%. However, the proportion of support given towards mental health is considerably lower than the support given to fight malaria. Obviously, I’m not suggesting that malaria support isn’t worth funding, my point is that mental health funding should be raised in line with that of diseases such as malaria (in relation to the above figures). This disparity further demonstrates authorities’ conscious lack of focus towards mental health and the impact of it on society.

Ok, so what now? Well, my aim was to, briefly, demonstrate the widespread issue of mental health concerns, because so many people with anxiety are lead to believe that it’s ‘no big deal’. It is a big deal, that is getting worse, and we need to do more to help. Additionally, just because society/authorities don’t (yet) fully focus on the ‘nasty question’ of mental health doesn’t mean we can’t support ourselves and each other. A plea - if you experience anxiety, stress, depression or other mental health concerns please seek help; and/or if you know someone who is struggling, please actively support them. Avoiding the issue because it ‘might be awkward’ is not helpful to anyone (personally or for society). Unfortunately, like many other personal and societal issues, we must lead from the bottom up – from the people up, to challenge authorities. We must support each other and speak out. Because, when things are spoken about and people become more knowledgeable, stigma disintegrates. Good luck, keep safe and well, and feel free to contact me on this, or anything related to mental health. info.thais.world@gmail.com

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Thaïs Robertson
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