Hi HH8,

You're absolutely right that a number of things have changed in society, and this has happened in a very short timespan. The number of people with mental illnesses, particularly depression, bi-polar and generalized anxiety in the U.S. and Canada has risen exponentially (literally, some say 10 times) since the end of WWII. This is not due to any natural change in human biology, this is due solely to changes in the environment, human biology does not change that quickly.

If we take this as true on some level, how in the world can we explain this troubling phenomenon? It seems to me there are several options, but one of them is NOT that we somehow prefer this state as humans or are somehow weaker on an individual level. This is a large public health issue with serious social ramifications, and yet, the very symptoms of those who suffer from these illnesses add to their social isolation and self-blame.

Interestingly, cancer rates have increased substantially during the same time period, but we generally don't blame cancer patients for their illness. So yes, something disturbing has changed in our social and natural environments that has led to the increase in certain illnesses.

I have found a community of people who can discuss these changes and link them to their individual experiences with illnesses and not feel defeated by it, and I feel quite lucky about this, since for years I felt doomed.

To answer your question, yes, I think that the changes that exist in our North American society, towards a slow embrace of neo-liberal social policies, in which we are all urged to take responsibility for ourselves, and only ourselves, you know, "pick yourself up by the bootstraps" stuff, is severely severing social bonds. And yet, here we are reaching out to each other, trying our best to offer each other support.

For some reason, I care about you. You're right to say that we know nothing about you, but for some oddly compelling set of reasons, right now in this moment I'm thinking about you and your well-being.

RJ