The words ‘crisis’, ‘emergency’ and similar are often greatly over-used in today’s ‘Fear Porn’ media but, as a coach I am regularly involved in, resolving and fully accept that we are in a mental health crisis, particularly in young people – with increasing evidence that modern living, particularly the influence of smart phones & social media, is actually making us ill! And, as such, it is important to recognise & talk about issues – though I suggest that posting on social media merely distracts and distorts the real help one may need.
There is also an increasing trend that the term ‘mental health’ is in danger of being overused for any and every challenge life throws at us, with additional evidence that, in an age of social contagion and victimhood, talking too much about mental health problems - along with various ideas, propaganda or 'remedies' being pushed by certain ideologists - could actually be making matters worse. And…. that in certain countries the term is sometimes being abused pr used as an excuse for benefit claims or other wrongdoings – i.e. a case of “Aha, that explains it then!” when presented with someone involved in, for example, paedophilia or stabbing people in a street. And garnishing sympathy instead of outrage.
It’s a tough world out there, but there is a lot of knowledge & tools, techniques & skills in our profession – particularly in the growing concepts of Positive Intelligence and mental fitness – to to deal with life’s challenges in a positive rather than negative mindset. And this has never been more needed....
