An epidemic, a disease. A virus that spreads everywhere and consumes everything in its path. A danger, a threat. These are the first things that might come to mind when we think of the word plague. But what does the word actually mean, and what can we relate it to?
The word plague initially comes from the Latin word plaga, which means stroke, wound. The actual definition of the word is not fully definitive, as there are many other similar definitions stemming from it. But when we Google the word, the definition that most suits this context in which I am using it, is “a contagious disease that spreads rapidly and kills many people.” And when I see this definition, and all the others that relate to it, I can think of one place that might be undergoing a plague of not only physical, but mental sickness.
The United States of America is one, if not, the most powerful nation on Earth, leader in economy and culture worldwide. It is the life vest and safety net of the world today, and has been that way for a long time. But America, as we might call it, has been undergoing a lot of change not only politically, as it’s undergoing a time of much political division, but culturally. Which leads me to say, although others might oppose, that America is undergoing a mental health plague, which has been slowly coming about from many years back to where we now stand, but has fully exploded on everyone in a matter of recent, very recent, years.
Throughout my many visits to this Nation’s distinguished and unique states, there has always been something that stood out to me: the mental condition of its citizens. People with such deteriorated mental condition were seen roaming the streets uncared for by the Government, or anyone in that matter. Few, but constant, was the rate of how often you would see such things in public, but approaching today, it’s now grown to be a bigger problem. The root of that problem stems from the drastic cultural and moral change from the past generation to now. And as the numbers of people with mental health disorders increase, this generation tends to increase their glorification of being a victim of it. The glorification of a health issue that leads members of this society to making the decision to pick up a gun and commit a mass school shooting, to take part in surgeries to make them “feel better”, or fall to eating habits that can kill them. All of these factors can relate to the lack of one virtue: Values.
Map from a 2019 study, by publichealthpost.org
What distinguishes the United States from other nations apart from its severe mental illness trend, is its growing loss of values. At least to me it seems, that they view everything that is morally correct and healthy, as morally wrong and incorrect, and if you try to stand up to voice your concerns, you are shut down by the other side of the line. (The line refers to the border between the two sides of politics in the growingly divided population). And that is why exactly, lack of good mental health is responsible for the downfall of this nation, as it leads to irrational, inhumane thinking that makes us lose our values.
Most of the masses today are lost to social media, mental illness and choosing unfit leaders who take part in the loss of these values, opposed to the now small public who is struggling to remain in America: A Plagued Nation.
Let’s wake up, and lead towards change before it is too late.
“A nation’s greatness is measured not just by its gross national product or military power, but by the strength of its devotion to the principles and values that bind its people and define their character.”
— Ronald Reagan
