Since before I was in middle school I've both been fascinated by psychology and also suffered with depression, panic disorder, and otherwise being belittled or bullied by others. The two worked in tandem to create an interest in psyche because, beyond figuring other people out, I also wanted to figure myself out; why was I feeling like this, what can I do about it? As I grow older though I find myself asking different questions about psychology. Instead, I ask why people are treated this way, why mental health care is crippled and undermined by other fields of care, especially as I move into adulthood and get a wider view of the world around me.
The main reason this flip of perspective happened was when a close friend of mine, I'll call "T" for his privacy, tried to end his own life. He'd suffered with all sorts of issues in the past and had many, many problems in his life regarding family and lifestyle. Instead of getting the help he needed he was thrown into an institution, better known as an asylum, called Havenwick. He was forced to stay there given that he'd just tried to commit suicide, and then was given tons of medications that served more to tranquilize and keep him docile. The doctors didn't care, and by his own words, he thought he was going to lose his mind staying in there as they had him cooped up with people who couldn't discern reality from delusions.
Even after being released from Havenwick, T never was able to get the help he needed. No doctors were available for his price range, he was poor. No counselors were available, he was too poor, had to work two jobs, didn't have enough time. There are a multitude of reasons that shouldn't have been, and even today he struggles greatly with his mental health while being completely unable to go and see a doctor about it. Perhaps the saddest part about it all is that T is terrified about being locked up in an asylum again for his negative thoughts.
Today, likely close to half of all Americans with serious mental disorders are not getting treatment for a variety of reasons - sourced from the National Institute of Mental Health regarding bipolar disorder and schizophrenia - and it's likely that the less severe (but still problematic) disorders like mild to severe anxiety or depression are not treated well at all given personal and anecdotal evidence from others I know.
There needs to be a reformation of some kind, or the worst enemy our country will face will be our own minds.
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I think this is such an important topic and something that writers have such a hard time discussing without feeling as if they would offend someone. I think your approach to the matter is very effective. I am so sorry this happened to someone you know. My heart goes out to them. I agree completely that often our biggest enemy is our own minds. I think the vast majority of people have experienced some very dark times during their lives and it is important to raise awareness on this matter. I really appreciate how you decided to abbreviate the individual's name as T. For me, I think it made you more credible and trustworthy, since you decided to keep the profile of the person private. Great utilization of ethos, pathos, and logos as well.
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