October 2023 marks the observance of Mental Health and Depression Awareness Month, a time dedicated to fostering reflection on mental well-being. This occasion prompts us to contemplate whether mental illness and depression are products of our environment or contributors to it. It calls upon us to pause, reflect on our lives, and conduct thorough self-assessments. Across the globe, there is an unmistakable shift occurring; its presence is palpable. It necessitates a heightened focus on self-care, recognizing that our mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, shaping our thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and interpersonal connections from childhood through adolescence into adulthood.
Elissa Scott, Founder of Menopause Tea and Meno Belly Weight Loss Tea, known as The T Lady, believes that throughout our lives, we have been conditioned to conform to certain lifestyles, seeking advice and guidance from local doctors and specialists, often receiving prescriptions or medication recommendations as the default solution. Shouldn’t we explore natural alternatives and consider whether more comprehensive education in Chinese or herbal medicine is required, or if financial incentives are lacking? How many pills can one person take? Astonishingly, Australia witnessed the issuance of 26 million antidepressant prescriptions last year, while the UK recorded an estimated 83.4 million prescriptions in 2021-2022.
In the midst of our fast-paced existence, have we lost control over our emotional and physical well-being? Do we truly require ten televisions, opulent residences, speedy automobiles, and crushing debt? The emotional, academic, and physical pressures we endure seem overwhelming and incomprehensible. Must we commit endless hours to the workplace to sustain a lifestyle driven by power, control, and greed? Is this the essence of life?
Even before stepping outside, our bodies are laden with chemicals from head to toe. Each day, we must metabolize and eliminate chemicals from hair dye, makeup, toothpaste, deodorants, fragrances, nail polish, and tanning products. Internally, our bodies are undoubtedly suffering, operating at only half their potential.
Have we neglected to consider the consequences of our dietary choices? Our eating habits and alcohol consumption profoundly impact our mental health. According to a June 2023 BBC report, aspartame, an artificial sweetener found in about 6,000 global food products, can affect our well-being. Could it be that the perpetuation of mental health issues serves economic interests, akin to homelessness and the welfare sector?
Sleep deprivation, stress, anxiety, and fear often push us beyond our limits. Think about your beleaguered liver after a night out; the following morning, it’s sluggish and burdened with toxins. In such states, we make poor dietary choices, resorting to sugary indulgences for a quick mood lift. Hidden sugars are pervasive, serving as a convenient emotional crutch.
In the early days of our planet’s existence, our creator provided an abundance of herbs, plants, and animals for human sustenance; there were no sprawling retail malls or fast-food establishments. Life was once simple, natural, and true to its intended purpose. Adam and Eve, as the story goes, sat beneath an apple tree, not a pharmacy sign. Fluoride, designed to affect our pineal gland, was absent from toothpaste and water supplies. Do you see the pattern emerging? Why aspire to resemble someone else when our unique fingerprints define us from birth? Let’s return to the day we were born—flawless and perfect. What changed?