Giving Our Way Out.

Published: August 24th, 2006

 
The World Health Organisation has declared that depression is the leading cause of disability, worldwide, and by 2020 it will be the second most important disease globally.
 
 
The rise in cases of depression has challenged the belief that depression is caused physically by a chemical imbalance, triggered by social elements but not caused by them. However, Psychologist Dr Robin Upton has tracked the sociological changes since the ‘hierarchy of needs’ model pioneered by psychologist Abraham Maslow in the 1960's. Whilst Maslow empasised the physical needs of humanity, Upton has noted that life is increasingly not fulfilled in those terms. Indeed he argues that significance is not a luxury, but necessary to human health.
‘Treating people as "human resources" - i.e. as tools for making money - is resulting in widespread stress, depression and meaninglessness amongst both rich and poor in the so-called 'developed' countries. To ignore the social element and disregard issues such as purpose, relationships and self-esteem is to deny something essential to human psychology. Mechanistic production and rapacious consumption do not contribute to a fulfilling life, far less substitute for one.’ 
Robin Upton
 
 
Upton questions wether Depression may actually be a healthy reaction to a sick society?
"To demand that our children feel well in the world which we leave them is an insult to their dignity."  
                                                                                                                       Ivan Illvich
Upton notes a correlation between the growth in wealth and a greater sense of dissatisfaction and greater depression. In this postmodern model of living, our lives are no longer formulated into ‘grand narratives’ of nation, war, empire, clans or faith. Instead family groups are smaller and wealth is a primary motivator. The pursuit of wealth appears to cause dissatisfaction because it has limited our identity and our significance to a singular goal. The ‘grand narrative’ provided something bigger than ourselves, to which we have a relationship and therefore an identity. Within that identity the individual can then realise their purpose on a larger scale.
 
 
Upton has noted an increase in altruism within the last decade which he associates witha need to combat this modern dissatisfaction. Giving of time and resources allows the individual to be part of something bigger than themselves again. Through this their lives gain significance and their achievements have longevity.
Young people have higher aims than just maximising their income; the world is full of needs unmet by 'market forces' - for example, the needs of the financially poor. A new generation is discovering the tremendous value of making a real contribution to the lives of others.  
                                                                                                                              Upton
 
 
Do we look for significance in the mall, the showroom or the office? Maybe, we willl find we're more affluent when we finally  stop shopping for meaning.
 

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