The global mental health crisis extends far beyond the realm of medical science alone
By Bhabani Shankar Nayak
Capitalism, once hailed as the harbinger of peace, prosperity, and happiness in its quest for global dominance as the sole available alternative, now faces a stark revelation.
Surprisingly, it’s amidst the affluence of these capitalist societies where the most profound discontent resides. The rise of capitalism is intrinsically linked to the erosion of mental well-being, forming an inseparable bond between economic structure and psychological health. The pandemic of mental health crises emerges as a direct consequence of the alienation fostered by capitalist systems.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 700,000 lives are lost to suicide annually, with a staggering 77% occurring in low- and middle-income countries. The WHO’s data further reveals that a staggering 280 million individuals worldwide battle depression, with western capitalist nations emerging as the epicentres of this mental health crisis.
Over the past two decades, the United Kingdom, in particular, has witnessed a concerning surge in poor mental health outcomes, marking it as a focal point for this growing epidemic.
Moreover, schizophrenia, a severe mental disorder, is proliferating at an unprecedented rate within capitalist nations, highlighting the deep-seated challenges within these societies. Factors such as the privatization of healthcare, economic instability, social upheaval, religious tensions, and the perpetuation of capitalist-driven conflicts only serve to exacerbate this global mental health pandemic, further underscoring the urgent need for systemic change to address these pressing issues.
The resolution of the global mental health crisis extends far beyond the realm of medical science alone. Beneath the surface of individual diagnoses lies a complex web of societal factors that fuel the rise of poor mental health. The pervasive productivist culture, where worth is measured by productivity, coupled with the relentless marketization of society, perpetuates an environment of constant pressure and competition. Within this framework, the exploitative economic system thrives, fostering inequality and marginalization.
Meanwhile, oppressive political structures and the erosion of democratic citizenship further compound the sense of helplessness and disempowerment among the populace. Capitalism, with its inherent drive for profit maximization at the expense of both labour and nature, stands as a central figure in this narrative. Its mechanisms of exploitation and alienation lay the groundwork for the proliferation of mental illness on a global scale.
Capitalism’s relentless pursuit of individualist consumerism often comes at a profound cost to the fabric of societies, families, and communities. In this paradigm, individuals are reduced to mere customers within a capitalist market society, where their worth is measured by their utility, purchasing power, and satisfaction as consumers. This narrow focus on competition and consumption undermines the essence of solidarity and collective well-being.
The capitalist ethos, rooted in profit maximization and individual gain, stands in stark contrast to the principles that foster healthy development within individuals and societies. Instead of nurturing environments that prioritize human flourishing and social cohesion, capitalism breeds a culture of cutthroat competition and relentless pressure to consume.
At its core, the capitalist system thrives on maintaining and perpetuating exploitative structures and unequal processes. A healthy mind, capable of critical thinking and empathy, naturally questions these dominant systems of capitalism, recognizing their inherent injustices and inequalities. Thus, capitalism’s fundamental opposition to the healthy development of individuals and societies becomes increasingly evident. By prioritizing profit over people, it erodes the very foundations of community, solidarity, and human dignity. In its place, it fosters a culture of individualism and materialism that corrodes the social bonds essential for collective well-being.
The collective spirit of society serves as the bedrock for fulfilling the basic and meaningful libidinal requirements of individuals—necessities such as hunger, shelter, healthcare, love, romance, friendships and connections.
Within the framework of a thriving society, these needs are met through communal support, mutual aid, and shared resources, fostering a sense of belonging and dignity for all. However, capitalism disrupts this natural order by commodifying these fundamental human needs, subjecting them to the whims of market forces.
The decadent culture fostered by capitalism perpetuates a form of domesticated consumerism, wherein individuals are defined by the possessions they acquire—branded clothing, cars, houses, and fashion items—rather than by their authentic selves, intricately connected to the world around them. This commodification of individual identity and consciousness serves capitalism’s agenda by masking its exploitation with the guise of individual freedom. Within capitalist societies, individual freedom becomes subjugated to the pursuit of profit, leading individuals to conform to a predetermined notion of orderliness and consumption. The illusion of personal autonomy is maintained, yet it is constrained within the confines of capitalist goals.
As a result, individuals within capitalist systems often lead lives marked by loneliness and isolation, despite the semblance of personal space and freedom. This detachment from authentic social connections and meaningful interactions divorces individuals from their inherent nature as social beings, leading to a profound sense of disconnection from themselves and the world around them.
This artificial schism between individuals and their true social essence lays the groundwork for the widespread mental health crisis gripping societies across the globe. By prioritizing profit over people and reducing human experiences to marketable commodities, capitalism perpetuates a cycle of alienation and disillusionment that erodes the collective well-being of humanity.
In this vacuum, loneliness festers and spreads, giving rise to a mental health crisis of staggering proportions.
Faced with the consequences of its own creation, capitalism offers a superficial solution: the commodification of mental health care. Medical practitioners, mental health hospitals, and even prisons become lucrative markets, generating profits for the capitalist system while individuals, families, and entire societies grapple with the devastating effects of mental illness. In this cycle of exploitation and suffering, capitalism perpetuates its own existence at the expense of human well-being. As long as capitalism and its profit driven system remains the driving force behind societal organization, the epidemic of mental health will continue to thrive, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.
The dehumanizing effects of capitalism extend far beyond material deprivation; they encompass the profound psychological toll of living in a society where human worth is measured by productivity and consumption. The inhumane nature of capitalism stands as the root cause of mental illness on a global scale.
In place of the individualistic ethos promoted by capitalism, the cultivation of social solidarity and collective spirit offers a path towards collective mental well-being.
By fostering connections, empathy, and mutual support among individuals, societies can create environments that nurture the holistic health of all members, transcending the alienation and isolation perpetuated by capitalist systems.
Ultimately, the fight against capitalism represents not only a struggle for economic justice but also a quest for human dignity and psychological liberation. Only through collective action and solidarity can societies hope to build a future where mental well-being is valued as a fundamental aspect of human flourishing sans capitalism.
Prof. Bhabani Shankar Nayak is a political economist working as Professor at University of Glasgow, UK.
Disclaimer: The views expressed are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times
