Something from the past
I’m not active on Substack for that long but in all this time I’ve seen lots of post about mental health. From people like
that dedicates all her work to the subject (awesome work, please support by following her) to people like that at some stage of their life went through difficult period, Substack has many examples.When I was younger, there were less people affected by mental health problems or at least that is my perception. It is also possible that my ignorance at the time had something to do with that perception. My personal view on the subject is that mental health problems are an effect of a too fast evolution combined with a constant pressure from society and social media. I also believe that corporate world is not the best environment.
It is impossible not to mention here a few other people that I respect and follow on Substack:
-
that very openly gave an interview full of insights about how it is to live with mental health problems and how that affects creativity-
that pretty often talks about loneliness and despite the health problems always finds strength to spend a bit of time on this community and encourage people with a daily affirmation- the lovely
who found the courage to write about tumultuous teenage years (keep writing those memoirs, I promise I will read them) and always replies with a funny but respectful commentOf course, there are many others and I believe
has built a lovely community around mental health and creativity.
In the past I’ve came across with mental health problems in different forms: from suicide (the boy was only 18) to anxiety (far too often I came across this, especially in the corporate world). So, when I’ve been asked, I took part in a campaign promoting available services to people affected. The photos are part of that campaign and today I’m happy that I can share them with this lovely community.
Take care and don’t put yourselves under any pressure, it’s not worth it!
Great post and strong photos. It is important to talk about this. I've made a series of self portraits when dealing with burn out. Really helped me through that period
Excellent photos which tell a story so well.
I think there are a number of reasons for mental health issues being more prevalent.
One, is that people are more willing to talk about them.
I think another is that as a society we have become too insular. We concentrate on ourselves and cut ourselves off with the online world taking over the physical one. It’s a negative place and one of virtual friends who are usually of no help when in emotional need.
Added to that is a generation who have been fed self-entitlement garbage and we have a problem. Rubbish such as “you can be whatever you want to be” is a fallacy and leads to huge disappointment. It makes people feel like failures rather than letting them find a balance in life.
The problem is only going to get worse, I am sad to say.