I read a commentary in the San Francisco Chronicle recently chastising the therapy community for not bringing our voices to address the destructive impact of our national discourse on the mental health of our clients and the nation as a whole. I can’t speak for any mental health association, but rather than sit on my hands, I’ll offer my professional perspective on the mental health impact of the current political landscape.
The use of violent language, name calling, and lying have become so common as to become normal and seemingly acceptable. What do we want to see in our children, teens, and young adults? Thoughtful, kind, responsible behavior I hope. We want them to feel safe and good about who they are, and to take responsibility and do their best. We want them to treat others with kindness and respect and be treated the same way by others.
When they compete and win, we want to share in the happiness of their success. When they lose, we don’t want them to blame others and deny losing. We want them to feel good about their effort — did they “leave it on the field” and move on? If there are lessons to learn and grow from the loss, great. If not, simply move on. We don’t want them to believe that they are owed victory every time they compete.
Some politicians have taken a stance of victimhood, urging people to vote from a perspective of their own victimhood. Victims of everything — immigrants, people who are different from them, international trade policies, regulations to protect the environment, and then bizarre things like accusing others of manipulating the weather.
Over the past several years, bullying in schools has increased significantly. Kids in general are insecure about who they are — am I good enough, smart enough, attractive enough, likable enough? When our leaders target and scapegoat people, and sow fear and hatred with lies and insults, everyone feels scared of and hostile towards people who are different from them. Many fear being seen as inferior themselves, just waiting for their weaknesses to be exposed. Some of our leaders have no apparent regard for the lives of the people they attack. Innocent poll workers, secretaries of state, immigrant communities, minority communities, as well as political opponents on the opposite side of the political spectrum and those who have different views have been hurt and traumatized and had their safety seriously compromised.
How or why would a person behave this way? Why would they be so uncaring about the impact of their behavior on others? Why would they target innocent people with lies and fabricated accusations? Is it narcissism? If it is, it’s an extreme form of it. Is it psychopathic behavior?
Amy Morin, author of “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do,” writes, “Although not an official mental health diagnosis, it is often used in clinical and legal settings to refer to someone who often is egocentric, antisocial, lacking remorse and empathy for others, and often has criminal tendencies.”* Some of the characteristics she identifies include, they tell lies to look good and get out of trouble and have an inflated view of themselves.
This is not a political blog, this blog is about leadership and mental health — yours, your family’s, and our nation’s. John F Kennedy famously addressed the nation with, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
It’s clear that we as individuals are capable of taking responsibility, stepping up and doing our best to be good people, do good work, and help others. We are capable of creating a safe inclusive and fair community if we work at it. Conversely, we are capable of indulging our worst instincts and acting out of fear and hatred and hurting each other.
Regardless of your political party affiliation, or your religion, or any specific issue you care about, I implore you to support behaviors and leaders who will bring out our best.
* https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-psychopath-5025217
