OPPRESSION MAKES WISE MEN MAD WITH DISTEMPER
We all have been effected, we’re kidding ourselves to say otherwise.
One might look at a population under high degrees of oppression to understand their mental health among the citizens. The image below shows the relative increase in mental health among Palestinians over time early in this century. One could only assume it to be much worse with a full scale war going on today. Could we potentially have our society to a point of what Palestinians feel everyday, as shown below? One cannot but wonder what might happen in our future, particularly if Trump would regain power. Please pay attention to the image and in the own words of Palestinians their own conditions. One can identify with these words, especially when under the threat of a MAGA nation.
Published online: 23 Nov 2010.
Rita Giacaman, @Ritagiacaman
Yoke Rabaia,
Viet Nguyen-Gillham,
Rajaie Batniji ,
Raija-Leena Punamäki &
Derek Summerfield
In September 2000, the second intifada erupted, fuelled by widespread discontent over the failure of the peace process to address accelerating Israeli settler colonisation of occupied Palestinian lands and to achieve progress on final negotiations, and by the shortcomings of the PA (Hammami and Hilal 2001). Since then, the violent Israeli response to this second Palestinian intifada has led to even more difficult, dangerous and insecure living conditions for Palestinians.
One in two Palestinians fear for themselves in their daily life.
Almost all Palestinians fear for their family’s safety in their daily life.
Almost two in three Palestinians feel threatened by losing their home, their land or being forcibly uprooted and dispossessed.
Almost all Palestinians worry over their future and the future of their families.
Almost one in two Palestinians live with distress, anxiety, worry and grief.
Almost one in three Palestinians feel incapacitated.
More than one in three Palestinians feel deprived.
More than one in three Palestinians feel that suffering is part of their life.
More than one in three Palestinians are fed up with life.
For a quick snapshot of American mental health the image below can help us to gauge our condition. Keep in mind the difference between the current American condition and that of pre-war Palestine shown above. The rate of anxiety pathologies is an interesting item to consider in 2022 America.
The following paper, of which excerpts were taken from, talks about mental health globally. It also addresses conflicts and the looming effects of climate change on populations. The United States is indeed affected by climate change, and one must assume some mental health conditions from this stressor. This is a good paper of a general nature.
Global Mental Health: Where We Are and Where We Are Going
Published online 2023 May
Modhurima Moitra, @Modhurimamoitra
Shanise Owens,
Maji Hailemariam, @EthiopeanNomad
Katherine S. Wilson,
Augustina Mensa-Kwao,
Gloria Gonese,
Christine K. Kamamia,
Belinda White, @PeoplePrinciple
Dorraine M. Young, and
Pamela Y. Collins
First, mental health is a global public good.
Second, mental health problems exist along a continuum.
Third, the mental health of an individual is a unique product of one’s social and environmental influences along with their genetic and biological predisposition.
Fourth, mental health is a fundamental human right and requires a rights-based approach.
According to recent estimates, more than 13% of adolescents globally have a mental disorder, with common mental disorders such as anxiety and depressive disorders comprising about 40% of mental disorders. Mental disorder prevalence continues to show consistent variation by gender with depression and anxiety being more common among females and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct disorder being more common among males. The prevalence of substance use disorders also continues to vary by gender with the prevalence in males being twice as high as that of females.
Multiple national surveys conducted in the USA, South Africa, and other countries have found that experiences of discrimination are associated with an increased odds of developing psychological disorders including depression, anxiety, psychotic disorders, and substance use disorders.
Conflict/Instability and Mental Health
International conflict and instability in the last few years have harmed the mental health of displaced populations. A study on the mental health effects of war on children due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine found that the cumulative impact of conflict puts estimated 7.5 million children at extreme mental and physical health risk. According to estimates from WHO, approximately half a million people impacted by this invasion will need mental health treatment. In Ethiopia, young adults in Tigray experienced elevated levels of anxiety and depression due to ongoing conflict. Refugee and migrant host countries will need to address the likely disproportionate number of refugees with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and possible exacerbation of substance use disorders. Recommendations include implementing family-based strengthening interventions and culturally adapted psychological interventions delivered within existing economic platforms such as youth employment and empowerment programs. Future work is needed to assess national priority setting for refugee rehabilitation, and to address long-term impacts of current conflicts particularly on children and vulnerable populations in the context of a near or complete loss of already scarce health care systems.
Environmental Events and Mental Health
Environmental and climate change have impacted populations around the world not only due to catastrophic events, but gradual long-term changes as well. This can lead to stress and anxiety particularly for sub-populations that depend on natural resources/natural events for their economic sustenance and risk loss of livelihood and shelter due to environmental events. Research on Nunatsiavut communities in Canada that have historically relied on their lands and environment for their livelihood and traditional practices found higher rates of mental health–related clinic visits after extended periods of warm average temperatures indicating that policy and planning related to climate change should account for mental health implications for Indigenous communities. Climate change has been associated with elevated levels of farmer suicides—a tragically common phenomenon for many years. These findings suggest that climate change will exacerbate already existing inequities. Although climate change will likely impact mental health globally, a recent review of climate change and mental health found that 77% of studies came from HICs [high income countries]. This is an important gap since LMICs [low- and middle-income countries] have been and will likely continue to be severely impacted by climate change. Effective interventions include a focus on recovery, health promotion, resilience, local knowledge, education and awareness of climate change, and improving evacuation procedures.
I have tried to address our mental health related to the Trump and MAGA threat, and the assistance to such possibly given by the right wing billionaires. I have no idea if I’ve actually covered it in a deserving fashion. I’m within the storm myself so my thirty thousand foot view may not be accurate. But I have a gut feeling that our mental health in the coming months will be tested greatly. We must take care to keep our wits about us to the onslaught of crazy coming.
163rd Posting, February 5, 2024.