Over the last decade we are seeing an alarming rise of mental health problems in our population, particularly depression and anxiety.  The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that it is costing the global economy around $1 trillion per year.   We must ask ourselves what is creating the rise?  It appears to be a multi-factor problem.

One of the biggest reasons I think can be contributed to social media.  Social media has a compounding effect on people.  First off, this is a major form of communication for most. We are living in times in which direct contact with people is declining.  We text, email, use social media platforms to interact and now you are seeing people working from home.  What is this creating – isolation.  Isolation produces feelings of depression.  Believe it or not people need people in their lives to make it fulfilling! One in five people report feeling lonely, which was exacerbated by COVID-19. We need relationships with substance and that happens with direct human contact. Psychological research has validated these findings for years.  This is why isolation is used as a form of punishment because what it can do to one’s mind.  Therefore, it is important to cultivate face-to-face interaction. 

The other issue with social media is being judged by millions of people.  Everyday people are posting what’s happening in their lives.  Most of these posts display an ideal version of someone’s life, perhaps creating a false depiction. They are getting promoted, traveling to exotic places, living a lavish lifestyle, building great relationships, and accomplishing amazing things.   We fixate on that and develop a sense that are lives are not as fun or successful as another’s life leading to feelings of sadness, envy, emptiness, worthless, or frustration. Its only human nature for someone to feel lessen when chronically exposed to boastful social media postings. Plus, when you are posting you are subjecting yourself to constant judgement that can be negative in nature whether you are aware or not.  Social media warps our minds in a negative manner.  Precede with caution and know when it becomes too much.  Also, don’t spend too much time on social media either, remember you need one on one time too.  I take breaks from time to time, and I also limit my daily use. 

As a parent myself, one of the things I try to be careful of is fixing my children’s issues.  It’s not fun to see your child struggling or in pain.  Pampering our youth is setting our children up for failure. They won’t be able to handle anything on their own.  Sometimes it is good for them to face adversity and learn from their mistakes.  It builds character and strength over time and stops them from repeating bad behavior.  Developing independent children is our job as a parent.  Parents need to remind themselves of the long-term harm when excessively spoiling their children.  If you want your children to live a happy life, I suggest being more mindful and allowing them to develop the skills they need to survive in this world.

We also do not teach how to cope with life anymore.  Coping mechanisms are so useful in helping someone navigate their way through the world.  Life is not easy, and it can be challenging some days.  Dealing with ongoing stress can take a major toll on someone.  It is learning how to recognize it and manage it.  For some people, they have migraines, shoulder aches, and others express GI symptoms such as bloating and nausea.  It is best to try and manage your stress before these symptoms arise.  Try yoga, running, meditation, listening to music, playing guitar or any hobby that you find enjoyable.  Sometimes just watching TV can help someone unwind.   Spirituality can be another great way to help you cope with life. Many people express feelings of hope and faith when they are connected to something bigger than themselves.  Try planning ahead to prevent feelings of being overwhelmed or talking to individuals you trust to feel supported.  There is nothing like having a sense of peace and comfort for those challenging moments.  Managing stress is a part of taking care of oneself just like eating well and getting enough sleep. It’s important to maintain your well-being. Simply because it can creep up and explode if you don’t keep it under wraps.

Self-worth is essential because everyone needs to feel a sense of value. During the height of COVID, millions of people lost their jobs and lost their sense of worthiness. Most adults contribute their worth to their jobs. They connect with co-workers, receive moments of approval and attention, and make money. There is a significant link between self-worth and well-being. Someone with low self-worth is more than likely to have negative feelings about oneself. When we contribute to society, it motivates us to pursue one’s full potential. We all have something to bring to the table, and we can’t forget that.

Drug and alcohol use can severely affect the way the brain functions. Believe it or not, it shrinks it. One can’t process information, handle stress, and develop horrible impulse control when that happens. With marijuana use being easily accessible and, in some states, legal, we must pause and ask ourselves why we make it so readily available? Those who abuse drugs and alcohol long-term will be at substantial risk for mental disorders and medical disorders such as lung, liver, heart disease, plus cancers, and weakening of the immune system. If you don’t feel good overall, that can cause feelings of depression and anxiety too. Plus, overuse can cause personal relationship issues and the inability to hold a job. So, only use it in moderation, as it is easy to get trapped and sucked into the life of an addict. Easing the pain with drugs and alcohol only leads to further problems. 

Sugar and processed foods lead to inflammation in the body and brain, contributing to mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter that controls your mood, regulates sleep, and inhibits pain, is produced in your gut.  That is why Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are a common drug used to combat mental disorders because they increase serotonin levels in the brain. When we fill tired, we often crave a quick fix and reach for foods that don’t provide much nutritional value. You are what you eat. Fuel your body correctly, and you will find long-term feelings of energy.   It is incredible that if you just change your diet to improve Serotonin levels in your body, you may not need a SSRI.   Go “clean” for two to three weeks and see the change in how you feel, and if you start introducing inflammatory foods, you more than likely will see a big difference. 

Mental health conditions can substantially impact all areas of life, such as school, work performance, relationships with friends and family, and the ability to participate in life. So, don’t let it negatively affect you. Looking for the easy way out isn’t the answer. Understand that most in society are dealing with problems just like you and I. We are all in the same boat, though with different levels of challenges. You can take action into your own hands when combating depression and anxiety, plus you are not alone. They are programs out there to help guide you through this life. If you find barriers in your area to access mental health services, contact your local hospital to connect to resources. Unfortunately, less than 2% of government health expenditures go towards mental health, so you could be living in an area that is not supplied with adequate resources to combat the rise of mental health issues. I will end on one important note; YOU have importance to this world; never lose sight of that.