It is true that poor mental health is becoming an alarming issue for people around the world. This essay will first examine the primary reasons behind this issue, before discussing effective measures can be taken by the government to support citizens’ mental health
To begin with, there are several reasons why people are suffering from poor mental health. Chief among these is societal barriers caused by perfectionism and social comparation. Many individuals set unrealistic goals and engage in toxic social comparation
, pushing themselves beyond their limits in an attempt to achieve an idealized version of themselves. As a result, such perfectionism can gradually make individuals prone to severe burnout and anxiety. For instance, due to peer pressure, many students often compare their test results to high-achieving classmates and even compete with them in every exam to achieve top grades. This can accidentally put invisible academic pressure on students and encourage them study excessively without resting, which eventually leave them with exhaustion and unfulfilling sensation . In addition to this, lack of financial support from the government and social prejudices can also exacerbate mental health issues. In other words, many people fear of social stigma more than the stress itself, as they tend to scared of being judged as weak, sensitive and unworthy whenever they open up about their struggles. Thus, more people will bottle up their negative emotions as well as hide their problems instead of seeking for help. For example, in numerous cultures, when men admitted their psychological problems or showed their soft spot sides, they were viewed as weak and lack of masculinity. This forced them to hide their negative thoughts and emotions instead of seeking treatment, especially when the high cost of therapy remains a major barrier.
Turning to possible solutions, the government plays a vital role in raising public funds for healthcare system and organizing public awareness campaigns. First and foremost, due to the lack of high-quality therapists and high cost, it is important for the government to subsidize mental health services in order to make support services more accessible to residents with different backgrounds. Such supportive measure can reduce the financial burden on individuals with economic difficulties while being in need of mental treatment. Furthermore, by launching public awareness campaigns and public projects that relate to mental health consultation, the government can help destigmatize mental illness among individuals. Such campaigns should put emphasize on the importance of speaking openly about struggles and normalizing showing soft spot sides instead of suppressing negative emotions all the time. By doing that, the government can considerably reduce individuals’ social embarrassment and provide more opportunities for people to access to the healthcare system.
In conclusion, the growing issue of poor mental health can be largely driven by societal barriers, self-pressure and the lack of the government’s financial support. However, this issue can be addressed by increasing subsidize for mental health services and public awareness campaigns, which can significantly improve individuals’ mental well-being.