A Better Life


In his excellent book, ‘Lost Connections’, Johann Hari argues that disconnection from seven aspects of life can cause depression and anxiety. The first three, in my opinion, are closely linked.
1.       Meaningful Work.  2. Status and respect.    3. A hopeful and secure future.
How many people get up in a morning dreading going to work? Many modern jobs are routine, boring, poorly paid and insecure. Even those professions that would appear to be worthwhile and meaningful can be compromised by excessive hours and conveyor style working conditions. It is no wonder that doctors, nurses and teachers leave their jobs for work abroad, the private sector or a change of job. The increase in zero-hours contracts is probably the best example of the job insecurity that can undermine anyone’s mental health. Since the 1980’s workers’ rights have been systematically eroded. The rich have got richer and the poor poorer. In modern industrial societies, a ‘lost connection’ from meaningful work, status and respect, and a hopeful and secure future are leading to greater mental instability. During the corona crisis, we have begun to recognise the real value of nurses, cleaners, refuse workers, care workers, and many more jobs. Many are poorly paid and unappreciated for the work they do. We now have nurses going to food banks. It is becoming evident that those people in low paid and insecure jobs are providing a real lifeline for our nation. I applaud those who manage to keep going when the dice are loaded against them. Anti-depressants prescribed by doctors may offer a temporary lift in mood but cannot offer a long term solution to people who have lost those work and lifestyle connections. Maybe it is time for a political debate about the reasons why mental health problems are on the increase in western societies.  Clearly, there are other medical reasons for mental health problems but these do not account for the increases in depression and anxiety now being found in our society. Hari gives examples of open-minded doctors who are, what he calls, social prescribing. Getting people together to do worthwhile projects in the community rather than prescribing drugs. Andy’s Man Club is another example of helping men address their problems by talking to each other. With a fairer society, we might need fewer anti-depressants 
   



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