It feels like what we define as “mental health” is becoming too vague. I feel like an old guy saying this, but it gives young people too many opportunities to get out of doing hard things in the name of mental health. We’ve already seen this play out within the olympics and other facets.
“Competing in this event has been stressful, so I’m backing out”
“Talking to the media gives me anxiety, so I’m not going to do it”
“Being on a mission is hard, so I’m going home.”
“Having a job stresses me out, so I shouldn’t have to have one”
“Dating gives me anxiety, so I’m not going to do it”
“Talking on the phone gives me anxiety, so text me if you need to contact me”
“This person has views that oppose mine and gives me anxiety, so I shouldn’t have to see/listen to their opposing views.”
I’m familiar with the challenges mental health struggles can cause — I’ve been on SSRIs since high school. But the pursuit and advocation for mental toughness doesn’t have to be abandoned just because there’s a push for better understanding of mental health. It’s becoming taboo to suggest somebody “gut it out” when something gets hard, and there’s a push for applause when someone refuses to do something that’s hard.