His recent post 'things I learned the hard way' has made me irrationally angry. So I've sat with it for a little bit and really thought about why he rubs me up the wrong way. And it's because he never talks about the wider socioeconomic factors that contribute to mental illness. The total decimation of mental health services in the NHS by the current government. Poverty, cost of living crisis, insecure work, homelessness. Austerity in general. Are these the only reason a lot of people suffer with mental illness? No. But they sure as hell make a significant contribution.
And in my personal opinion, if you are a popular mental health writer who has profited off the back of mental illness, you should be talking about these things. I don't think it's enough to feign ignorance any more even if you come from a more privileged background because so many people are suffering so severely, that it's impossible to not see it.
I just know that if I had his platform and reach, I would be highlighting these issues on behalf of those who had given me said platform.
And in my personal opinion, if you are a popular mental health writer who has profited off the back of mental illness, you should be talking about these things. I don't think it's enough to feign ignorance any more even if you come from a more privileged background because so many people are suffering so severely, that it's impossible to not see it.
I just know that if I had his platform and reach, I would be highlighting these issues on behalf of those who had given me said platform.