Mental Health and Happiness // Emma Kate Patterson

 Within the address what I found most interesting is the idea that psychology has gotten far from its roots. It sights happiness and productivity as the roots of psychology and says it has changed its main purpose to curing mental illness. Today when someone hears the word psychology they often think of mental illness and I think this is due to an increased awareness of mental illness in recent years. I think it is interesting that this address was written in 1998 and we are still seeing this today. In a way I think the end result of curing a mental illness is happiness and productivity and learning how to maintain and get back to a state of happiness. This is why I found it interesting that he distinguished the two as separate things. I think if the main goal of mental illness is cured or made better the end result is the maintaining of happiness and the ability to return to a happy state. I think that in todays time it could be detrimental to separate psychology and mental illness. We are just now approaching a time in which people feel comfortable talking about mental health. If we separate the word mental health from the word psychology it could lead to people feeling as if there is no help. On the other hand placing the word happiness and productivity it could make some people feel more comfortable with reaching out to medical professionals for help.

Comments

  1. Emma LandryApril 4, 2022 at 10:57 PM

    You make some really good points, Emma Kate! I like how you brought up the caution that needs to be used in looking at psychology a bit differently. Those who are finally feeling more comfortable with being vocal about their struggles should not be alienated. However, promoting the help of psychologists as being available to the everyday person and his or her daily frustrations could truly help expand the possibilities of how psychology can be a force for good in the world. While looking at it in this new light can create positive results, it is crucial to be careful not to make people feel as if they have lost a resource.
    -Emma Landry

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