So mental health issues are a bigger threat than covid. We touched on this in episode 197 depression affects more than 18 million adults in the US and is the primary cause of disability for ages 15-44.  So, in the last year according to the CDC the US has had 569,771 deaths related to covid as of the time I wrote this. That is less than 2% die from having covid. According to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Suicide is 10th leading cause of death in the US. Individuals with serious mental illness (some studies estimate as many as two-thirds) are responsible for a disproportionate number of mass public killings.

So, the problem is the disconnection and depression that people feel in our world. How do we inoculate against those? We need to change our culture. We need to foster feelings of “you are not alone.” If we can get others to smile and help them feel happier or better than they did before we came into contact with them that is a change to this world. If we could get the message out there that they are important to us and them being alive is important to us we can change their world. We can change things by being there for others, and by helping them to know that they are cared for. We can be different, if we could ask” what can I do now to help you?” You have the chance to save more people than you know.

Now, I do not want to downplay the seriousness of the problem. Even if we all did this it would take more work to solve the issues but this would move us a lot farther ahead than we are and solve many of the problems. If we became compassionate listeners without trying to fix others, we could make a difference in the world. This is not just a one-time act. No, we need to become that type of person. Since those that are struggling tend to isolate, we need to reach out. What do you think showing you care would do to those around you? How would it change their lives? This is a serious problem. But if people felt loved and accepted many would not get into depression and some might be cured. It is something that you can do to help. It is a way you can make a difference in this world. This is a serious problem but you are part of the key to fixing it.

Other parts of society that we also need to change to affect these outcomes are the food and nutrition that we provide. We know what a devastating effect high fructose syrup has on people yet we still use it and we make it cheap. We use colorings that the body is not adept to deal with. We make readily available stimulants like caffeine, coffee and soda then we also make depressants like alcohol. These are consumed in great quantities maybe even daily and they play a big part in the mental health problem that we are struggling with.

There are so many tools that are available to help yet many of them do not produce income so they are overlooked or ignored. But each of us as an individual can make a difference.

Please subscribe to this podcast and leave a rating and review, to help others find this podcast. Also join the Facebook group. Here is the spot to click and set up a time so we can discuss how you can use these tools and others to get your amazing life!