The Paths are Many

Recently, a video surfacing around Facebook caught my attention with the title, “The Myth of “Normal”. In this short video, Dr. Gabor Maté shares his views on how he understands mental distress and pathology as existing on a continuum – not a binary of opposing mental conditions: normal and pathological. In the Western world, Dr. Maté describes the medical process of diagnosis and categorization [of individuals showing symptoms of pathology] to be problematic. In furthering this isolation, we as a society consciously, and for some unconsciously, place people into stigmatized labels. Whereas in other parts of the world, such as Africa, individuals showing symptoms of pathology are celebrated, welcomed, and made to feel at home. I’ll take some of that culture shock please!

The 4 minutes in this short video – a prelude to the full film, Crazywise – had me nodding my head so much, in agreement, I was surprised to find it attached by the end. There is so much clarity and brilliance in the way that Dr. Maté views the continuum of our mental condition, in addition to how (alarmingly) obvious it is that our materialistic and capitalistic-driven culture is producing irrevocable damage. When will we wake up? When will we begin speaking up for others that can’t? When will we remember that WE ARE ALL ONE? Do you believe in living in a culture that ,“idealizes individuality and ignores emotional needs”, prioritizing objects over people and well being? I DON’T. How can we start change today?

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