The Epidemic of Mental illness
The Epidemic of Mental illness
The world is continually evolving, mostly stimulated by the constant technological advancements. Irrespectively, Angell feels that the world is still suffering from the epidemic of mental illnesses. The argument outlines that people residing in the United States are exposed to devastating conditions which ultimately lead to the attainment of mental illnesses with the feat expected to continue. Angell acknowledges that the number of people living with mental disorders and qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income have doubled in the period ranging from 1987 to 2007 and thus outlining the continuous that the world is still failing to deal with these shortcomings irrespective of the growth in the world.
In relation to the argument by Angell, it is essential to understand that there is a wide range of factors that can lead to the attainment of mental illnesses. The exact causes may not be as specific but it easy to have an idea of some of the reasons behind their development. A lot of the mental conditions are caused by a combination of psychological, biological, and environmental factors. Notably, the argument by Angell implies that these factors have highly intensified in the United States and thus contributing to the continuous rise in the rate of mental illnesses in the outlined region.
In agreement with Angell, the number of people with mental illnesses has continued to rise in the United States. One of every five adults in the United States experiences a mental illness in a given year. Similarly, one in every 25 adults suffers from a serious mental illness in a specific year while one in every five youths of the age between 13 and 18 go through a severe mental condition (NAMI). Therefore, the argument that Americans are in the midst of a raging storm is factual. However, the condition can only intensify if it is not dealt with soon and thus the current situation may not be the midpoint or the peak but rather a stepping stone to more catastrophic experiences.
The focus on mental illnesses shows that the world is still lagging behind in overcoming some challenges in the 21st century. Notably, the world has encountered numerous challenges over the past, but the continuous advancements and growth in light to the turn to a digital world have eased these challenges. Therefore, the argument by Angell shows that the world has failed to find an imperative way to enact technological advancements to improve the living standards of people and eliminate shortcomings such as mental challenges. Consequently, the argument may also imply that technological advancements and extensive improvements in the contemporary world have led to an increase in the rate of people with mental illnesses.
Notably, Angell insists that mental illness is currently the leading cause of disability among kids. Therefore, she acknowledges that Americans are continuously facing a challenge that they are already aware of. Therefore, her line of thought shows that the failure to fully prepare and come up with incentives to end the growing epidemic of mental illness. In comparison, people are aware of the dangers of obesity especially among children, but they still fail to take effective measures to prevent the continuous occurrence of this feat. Therefore, Angell offers a crucial focus on mental illnesses and how they continue to influence the way of life in the United States with people giving them a chance.
Angell argues that physicians tend to treat with psychoactive drugs-drugs that affect the mental state and thus often undermine the use of other approaches such as talk therapy. Therefore the world has already acknowledged that the epidemic of mental illness can only be treated by drugs rather than therapy. Notably, the provocative statement by Angell challenges the world with their approach to mental illness. She questions the need to believe in treating conditions rather than preventing them from occurring. Mental illnesses can be prevented before they occur, but people have already embraced their existence and thus aim to deal with them when they arise. Notably, she shows that the world is willing to go the distance to solve all shortcomings with drugs rather than developing ways to eliminate them before their invention or development.
The argument by Angell challenges people and their input which has doomed the world to a devastating period by taking the wrong path, making the wrong move, or choosing the inappropriate approach. The United States is a major superpower that boasts profound strengths in numerous areas ranging from financial to social sectors. Therefore, the continuous growth of the epidemic of mental illness shows that the nation is failing to actualize on its capabilities. The general argument shows a land with power, ability, and capability to improve the lives of people but still fails to find and an imperative way to collectively influence the well-being of the people. Therefore, people are drowning into an abysmal of their own making due to their failure to remain vigilant to recent trends and what they mean to the current world.
There are people in the United States who face similar challenges with people in third world countries. Approximately 26% of homeless adults have issues of serious mental illness while approximately 46% live with extensive mental illness issues and/ or substance use and abuse shortcomings (NAMI). Therefore, in relation to the argument by Angell, people will continue to suffer irrespective of the strengths in their locations. However, the growth in the epidemic of mental illness will only intensify if people fail to prevent it before it occurs comprehensively. The provocative statement by Angells stipulates that the world will only fall if people want it to and thus they should be ready to deal with shortcomings when they occur rather than waiting for them to intensify.
Conclusively, the continuous growth in the rate of mental illness in the United States outlines challenges that should be addressed. People should not completely embrace the epidemic and view it as a normal aspect in the way of life. Rather, they should work towards eliminating it and improving people’s way of life. Mental illness is a vice that will continue to distract people from all walks of life irrespective of their distinctions. Therefore, it is essential to find a way around the continually growing epidemic and offer people a chance to live a normal life without the fear of drowning into mental conditions. Therefore, the use of a provocative language aims to outline the strength of the situation and put weight on the need to rectify it.
Works Cited
Angell, Marcia. The Crazy State of Psychiatry – The Epidemic of Mental Illness: Why? New York Books, 2013.
“NAMI.” NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2019, www.nami.org/learn-more/mental-health-by-the-numbers.
