Last updated on January 10th, 2025 at 12:10 am
The Mental Health Crisis
Mental health is an important aspect of overall well-being and yet, it is an issue that is often overlooked and stigmatized in the United States. In recent years, the country has been facing a mental health crisis of unprecedented proportions, affecting individuals of all ages, races, and socio-economic backgrounds. The COVID pandemic only exacerbated the situation, with many people reporting increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression as a result of the widespread uncertainty and isolation caused by the virus.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in five adults in the United States experience symptoms of mental illness in a given year. This translates to over 44 million people, many of whom do not receive the help they need due to a lack of access to care, insurance coverage, and stigma surrounding mental health. In addition, it is estimated that nearly 50% of individuals with a mental illness do not receive treatment for their condition, often due to the high cost of therapy and medications.
The shortage of mental health professionals, particularly in rural and low-income areas, exacerbates the problem. As a result, many people with mental illness are left to deal with their struggles on their own, leading to self-medication, substance abuse, and even suicide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the 8th leading cause of death for men in the United States, and the rate of suicide has increased by 35% in the past two decades.
The mental health crisis in the United States requires a multi-pronged approach to address its root causes. This includes expanding access to mental health services, particularly in rural and low-income areas, providing insurance coverage for mental health treatments, and reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness. In addition, it is important to invest in mental health education and research to develop better treatments and preventions for mental health conditions.
The Mega MAGA Problem
What do we do about the millions of Americans in MAGA that have lost touch with reality? Facts no longer exist for them. They seem to be slowly worsening in terms of what they can be conditioned to believe. Look at the groups created to protest litter boxes in school bathrooms for the children that identify as cats (furries).
Someone with developed critical thinking skills would realize that a school wouldn’t allow a child with their pants down, squatting over a litter box in full view of other students in the bathroom. Who is responsible for scooping these litter boxes? How does the school feel about having to collect and remove human feces several times per day? What do they use as this litter box? Would they really advocate school funds for litter? So much litter. It isn’t cheap!
Now you have school resources and money going to towards providing a separate type of “restroom” for one, maybe 2 kids. Do they squat and pee together if they end up in the bathroom at the same time?
When you critically analyze this it becomes clear just how ridiculous the claim is. Most people see the ridiculousness of it simply by hearing the claim itself. Others fall into the trap of trusting people they respect; Fox News hosts, Republican political officials, right-wing pundits. Even then, if you have the ability to think critically, you won’t accept something like that as fact just because your role model says so. It’s as if these people are conditioned to believe, without question (or even thought), anything Donald Trump and his allies say.
The mental health crisis in the United States is a serious issue that requires immediate attention and action. It’s important to prioritize mental health and well-being just as much as physical health, and to provide the resources and support needed for those struggling with mental illness to get the help they need. Once Donald Trump is no longer in politics (or alive), we need a plan to act quickly and help these people before someone takes his place to continue the same narratives and lies. Only then can we begin to address this issue and ensure that everyone has access to the care and support they need to lead healthy, fulfilling, MAGA-free lives.