Is America Driving You Crazy?

Warmest Greetings

I just heard an amazing speech on NPR's Alternative Radio tonight. It was given by a man I had not heard of before, Dr. Steven Bezruchka. It is called "Is America Driving You Crazy?" You can watch the speech here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5oJPRuFDIk. Below are two brief descriptions of this profound presentation and it's author. Extremely worthwhile...

--------------------------------------------

The United States of America has the most mental illness of all countries studied as well as the most serious mental illness. We have the highest rates of prescriptions for anti-depressants and the growth market in using these drugs for pre-school age kids. We have the most mental illness treatment facilities. Almost a quarter of college students attending counseling centers were on psychiatric medicines in 2003-2004, up from 9% in 1994.

Is the system working? Why does America have such a lead in mental illness? Bezruchka will review the studies on mental illness in society and show that the way we have structured our country to give ever more to the rich while instilling hope among the poor that some will trickle down is in large part responsible for this crazy state of affairs. The medicine we need is social and economic justice, and it needs to be taken early in life to be effective.

Speaker Bio:

Dr. Stephen Bezruchka has been a faculty member in the School of Public Health at the University of Washington since 1993. He has spent over 10 years in Nepal working in various health programs and teaching in remote regions. Currently he works as an emergency room physician in several hospitals around the Seattle area. He received the School's Outstanding Teacher Award in 2002 and works with the Population Health Forum to help people understand the impact of social and economic policies on the health of societies.

http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/pipermail/pophealth/2006-October/001316.html

--------------------------------------

The number of Americans suffering from mental illness has nearly doubled since 1987. That's when Prozac, the first of the "wonder drugs" was introduced. Mental disorders are reported in more than 25% of returning soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan. And more than 1 in 4 college students are now on anti-depressants. With all the new drugs available for treatment, depression and anxiety disorders continue to rise. Is our drug-based system of care fueling this epidemic? With an unstable future and fewer family and community ties to help deal with problems, anxiety is also heightened by other factors related to modern society, such as war, global warming, advanced technology and globalization. What can we do to create a healthier society and treat those afflicted with mental illness in a more effective way?

Stephen Bezruchka:

Stephen Bezruchka teaches at the University of Washington and works as an emergency room physician in Seattle. His particular areas of research are population health and societal hierarchy and its application to health. He is author of numerous articles and essays. His most recent contribution is to Sickness and Wealth, a collection of essays on the effects of global corporatization on health.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x66691

-------------------------------------------------

Last night my friend Sharif (http://www.commonway.org/Cwitem~6%20(condensed).htm) was sharing with me about four ways in which we humans globally, and very much so here in America, have lost our way:

1. We have lost touch with Meaning

2. We have lost touch with Nature

3. We have lost touch with the Divine

4. We have lost touch with the experience of Community

The good news is that, like Sharif Abdullah and Steven Bezruchka, more and more are clearly identifying why humankind is faced with so many profound challenges at this time in our evolution AND what we can do about it. I am deeply moved by all who share so deeply from the wisdom of their hearts. This talk is a beautiful example...

Peace & blessings,

Molly

To purchase a transcript or CD of Dr. Bezruchka's presentation, please go here: http://www.alternativeradio.org/programs/BEZS004.shtml

Humankind. Let's be both. ~ A bumper sticker I have seen.