Read on Twitter
I've been thinking about this a lot and how to respond/navigate people talking about the need to engage in risky behavior because of their mental health. Going to add some additional thoughts in a thread.
Also fwiw, I'm someone who struggles with mental health. https://twitter.com/cyreejarelle/status/1331061896582148098
Also fwiw, I'm someone who struggles with mental health. https://twitter.com/cyreejarelle/status/1331061896582148098
So first, I am not talking about basic human need things (and nor is the OP). Also, a lot of people have to be out in the world for work, and I'm not shaming them for basic human need things either. https://twitter.com/cyreejarelle/status/1331069439316463616?s=20
I'm talking about reasonable precautions to mitigate risk for basic human need things (which are case by case). And not traveling, dining, going to parties/gatherings and seeing a ton of different people all the time.
All this personal responsibility to stop the spread shouldn't fall on us in this way. The government fucked up and that's a lot of the reason we're in this mess. It sucks! We shouldn't have to be here. But we're here, so we gotta do something about it.
The most common way I see the mental health piece engaged personally (this may be different to other people's experiences!) is people talking about how they feel bad, and it hurts their mental health to not be out and about in the world and that makes it okay.
This often uses misuses language rooted in having healthy boundaries and taking care of yourself first before worrying about others. And not being responsible for other people.
This language is not about prioritizing yourself at the expense of others though. It's not about never being uncomfortable to support someone else. It's not about never letting the support someone else desperately needs impact you in a negative way.
It's about healthy boundaries and recognizing you do not have unlimited support/care to give. And this framework doesn't really apply in the way it's being used in a pandemic situation.
In a pandemic situation, that sort of outlooks often reinforces capitalism, individualism, selfishness, every person for themselves (like the OP said).
If you're in a life threatening situation, please do what you need to do for yourself and please find support! If you're in a life threatening situation, this thread is not passing judgement on you (but does ask you to please minimize risk for whatever you need to do).
