Greed and ignorance -

With the new variant comes new mental health challenges. Could it be driven by greed and ignorance? Here’s what I think.

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Omnicron, the new variant that is wreaking havoc all over the world. Not good news as we are trying to fight off the overwhelming fatigue that has also plagued us. If that weren’t enough, we are seeing a surge in mental illness. An instance that its hardly a mystery.

Yet, despite this, the world seems to be in shreds in other ways too. Most concerning is the lack of person power; a phenomenon that seems to be across the board. But why? One can only imagine the sure complexity causing a crisis of occupation. It’s no simple matter.

However, I feel like we can look at from two angles: ignorance and greed. Not only do I believe them to be at the root of our crisis, but I also find them as scary as the pandemic. So much so in fact, a pang of desperation bounces around in my guts.

“Make time to connect, make room in your life for those you love, and find a personal meaning. You can find peace among the chaos.”
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The Breakdown

Anyone who walks in the Western world today knows that the wealth gap is on is worse than ever. And what we are seeing as a result is more money for the riches people and less for the rest of us. Additionally, we are seeing a willful ignorance of sorts. So, let me elaborate.

Greed

With all that said, we have seen an interesting behavior emerges from the mentality that money creates. In a word, entitlement. Let’s expand on the sense of entitlement idea. As I feel like it’s at the heart of the matter.

While we all need money to survive in the world, that does not mean that is good for us. In fact, I would argue that the need for money has rapidly propelled us to the climate disaster we are also facing.

I feel like all of humanity has come under monies addictive power, or at very least, been victimized by it. Still, can you picture an alternative? I sure can’t. At least not one that can easily take its place.

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What I find most alarming about money is that one can justify just about anything in the name of accumulating it. Need oil? No problem, we’ll just flood the ocean with it trying to transport it. “That’s ok, we are making billions, aint nothing wrong with that.” And this attitude isn’t limited to the wealthy, may if the middle class have caught the fever of entitlement.

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For example, say the average Joe is working on an oil rig. Joe can justify the well documented damage the oil industry is causing. But…. Because its making: “HIM” a good living, he complies. Our short sightedness is going to be our downfall.

Moreover, the wealthy are more concerned with their shareholders and feel not an ounce of gratitude for the people who have created the wealth. The little people – you and I. As a result, unions have been decimated, benefits slashed, and hours cut. “It’s ok, look at all the money we are making.” Somehow, this mentality has made its way into the public sector.

Ignorance.

I pay close attention to the world around me and am often thinking about what’s best for everyone rather than the needs of any one person. That’s not to say that you or I should be ignored, rather, we would benefit from a “for all model.” A concept that we have moved away from. I can’t help but feel that we have increased the rates of mental illness in our quest to focus on the individual.

For example, pre pandemic, governments were making cuts to everything. Yes, even health care. Additionally, they would refuse to pay nurses and doctors what they are worth. It doesn’t take a genius to see that they will go where the money is. Why would you? So, if there is more money to be made elsewhere, you will effectively end up with shortages.

Health care, for example, was in crisis long before we recognized health care as the biggest line of defense for our world. A revelation that screamed at us when COVID-19 swept across the world….. OOOPS! Didn’t see that coming – but they should have. Their ignorance and greed, even in government, has killed many and caused countless mental illness cases.

Read Two-tiered mental-health care system

Public health is the answer to ensure everyone gets treated and thus mitigate the spread of disease and mental illness. Denying people care because they can’t afford it, is divisive and inhumane. Anything other than a robust public health care program is a worldwide threat to the health and safety of every human on earth.

Mental impacts

Fear, uncertainty, loss of control, a sense of doom. All these greed and ignorance has great what I like to call The Great Angst, a collective and increasing fear of anxiety that has led to the development of many mental health conditions. For example, an ICU nurse working during the hight of COVID may develop PTSD, a parent falls into a depressive state because of increased prices in food, clothing, and shelter.

While it’s difficult to think about, much of this greed and ignorance has, in my opinion, gotten us here. And it’s not good; for us, for our mental wellbeing, for our world. Still, the quest for wealth continues. A flaw in human character? Whatever, the cause, I can’t help but feel like we gave the keys to the kingdom to a three-year-old. I mean, those who steer the ship don’t seem to understand the consequences of taking it wherever they want.

In closing I leave you with this: While things look bleak, the worker bees have always learned on another for support. If you and I and the rest of the world can get back to that, we win. So, make time to connect, make room in your life for those you love, and find a personal meaning. You can find peace among the chaos.