Mental Health is Political: The intersection of wellbeing and social change
In recent years, there’s been a growing understanding of the importance of mental health – finally! Yet, the conversation around mental wellness often falls short, focusing solely on individual responsibility and personal coping strategies. And while these aspects are undoubtedly important, they only tell part of the story.
At Rough Patch we firmly believe that mental health is inherently political, deeply intertwined with the social, economic, and political fabric of our society. This is a big reason why we operate as a non-profit, social enterprise and offer reduced-fee counselling across Australia. We want to be able to provide mental health support for those in need, whilst also advocating for social change, because the reality is that many people who need support can’t access it – and it’s not their fault.
Our ongoing mission has been to find new, subversive ways to take care of each other that don’t rely on traditional systems or government funding. We believe in the power of community-driven, grassroots initiatives to fill in the gaps left by institutional approaches to mental health care that have helped some, but also failed many.
A crucial part of our work is having conversations about our mental health, and in this case the very real societal factors that can have a big impact on how we feel.
The Social Determinants of Mental Health
Our mental wellbeing doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s profoundly influenced by the world around us – our living conditions, work environments, social connections, and access to resources and support. These factors, often referred to as the social determinants of health, play a crucial role in shaping our mental states.
An example that is relevant to many of us living in Australia where the cost of living keeps on rising, is the impact of housing insecurity on mental health. The constant stress of potential eviction, the struggle to pay rent, or living in substandard conditions can all contribute to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. Similarly, job insecurity, low wages, and poor working conditions can significantly affect an individual’s mental wellbeing.
These aren’t just personal problems; they’re systemic issues rooted in political and economic structures. Addressing them requires more than individual therapy – it demands policy changes and social transformation.
The Limits of Individualised Approaches
While personal coping strategies and individual therapy are valuable tools, they have limitations when it comes to addressing the root causes of mental distress. Teaching mindfulness to a person working three jobs to make ends meet, or CBT for someone facing racial discrimination doesn’t address the underlying societal issues causing their distress.
By focusing solely on individual treatment, we risk overlooking the broader context in which mental health problems arise. This approach can inadvertently place the burden of “getting better” entirely on the person, ignoring the role of social, economic and political factors.
Mental Health Care as a Tool for Social Change
Our mission is rooted in understanding that healing comes not just from personal growth, but from building a society based on solidarity, equity and collective wellbeing.
By offering inclusive, affordable and accessible mental health care, we aim to provide support for those who need it while also advocating for systemic changes.
Recognising that mental health is political is about understanding the interplay between our individual experiences and the broader societal context in which we live that we can’t ignore.
Rough Patch offers a wide sliding scale to offer counselling to folks who may not be able to afford full-fee therapy. In doing so, we are doing our best to create alternative access to mental healthcare in Australia, while demonstrating that there are possibilities outside of the current and dominant approaches.
You can learn more about our sliding scale here.
You can connect with a counsellor here.
