Toxic Positivity and the Hidden Mental Health Crisis

We live in a world where it isn’t ok to not be ok. Sadly, this “Positivity” culture has become a form of toxicity in itself where people fear speaking up about what they are experiencing and feeling. Instead, they fake happiness to fit in. When secretly their mental health is deteriorating and their sadness about their situation turns into shame and self-hatred. Then we are all shocked when out of the blue, someone commits suicide. Everyone shakes their head and says they didn’t see it coming. Not so-and-so, they were always so positive!

When someone commits suicide, we write them off as “broken” or “defective” when really, it is much more complex than that. More often than not, they were in a toxic environment without the support and couldn’t handle faking it anymore. The inner demons aren’t the only beasts out there. I’ve seen real live ones with teeth and all. I’m positive that if we weren’t living in this toxic positivity culture, more of these poor souls would still be alive because they would have felt comfortable speaking out. Sadly, maybe some of them tried in different ways, only quickly to be silenced by others. “Don’t worry, be happy.” is today’s motto. Then the problem grows and grows until it consumes your soul and there is nothing left but pain.

But suicide is not the only problem. Victims often resort to unhealthy ways of coping, such as drugs or alcohol, eating disorders, shopping or gambling, and even sex. Victims seek to numb the pain. When really they should never have to resort to this in the first place.

Victims are generally shamed and looked down on for speaking out. It goes beyond the family into the modern “Positivity” culture. Talking about negative things aka real life is discouraged and feared. People are exposed to a constant flux of Instagram-perfect happiness through social media and mainstream entertainment that leads them to falsely believe that everyone is living such carefree lives. People who experience hardships, aggression, tragedy, abuse, or discrimination are broken, negative, and toxic, and should be avoided. Just remove from the Friends’ list. After all, let’s just stay happy and positive, shall…

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