I assert that addressing mental health issues, specifically, for communists, is essential due to the following three reasons:
Healthier individual = healthier community;
Healthier mindset = more effective communal work;
The results will be of benefit despite the change (or lack thereof) of socio-economic circumstances.
Let me decipher the simplistic axioms I have provided above.
Firstly, an individual suffering from an «ailment of the soul» often times is further isolated and alienated from their community, for various reasons. Some of the main ones being: stigmatization of «non-normative» behaviors, reactions and perceptions; limited socialization of particular neuro types; lack of opportunities for affected individuals to partake fully in development and realization of their potential. There are many more reasons why an affected individual may be experiencing a greater level of alienation from one’s community. If you look at an activist community, focus on direct action and/or participation in socially important tasks can be of more difficulty to an individual suffering from a mental health ailment. Some examples of possible outcomes: due to one’s depression, an individual may not be able to partake in many efforts, despite their desires; they may be unable to find motivation to start something of benefit not only to others, but to themselves. Another simple example: an individual suffering from anxiety, may avoid certain situations in which their anxiety is triggered; thus seriously lacking in participation as well. Despite these hypothetical comrades' desires and drives, they cannot simply «will» their conditions away; medication may not be available to them, or they may choose to not medicate due to multitude of reasons. Exclusion of such individuals lead to an impairment of a community, lacking in human resources; more responsibility taken by the rest of the community, with possible burnout of the «healthier» ones.
Secondly, even if the individual’s mental health condition is not severe, if left unattended, it may lead to a development of a particular mindset, or attitude, that may not be conductive to effective work of the community. If, for example, an individual feels limited in certain capacity, but overcomes said limitations by overexerting oneself, by «getting over» one’s struggles, they may face unwanted consequences, such as a sense that others should also «overcome» and/or suffer in silence; or a sense of bitterness and resentment because they may feel that their efforts go unnoticed; or repress and/or suppress their emotions and later on be caught up in the tangles of one’s unconsciousness influencing their decisions, perhaps skewing their objective perception of reality. These aforementioned consequences are not exclusive to those suffering from a pronounced mental health issue, and may affect a great portion of a community.
Thirdly, mental health support can lead to great long-term benefits despite the outcomes of the activist movement. Even if members of an activist group do not promote their cause to the desired extent, if they practice mutual mental health support, they may reap the fruits of this labor rather soon - the benefits of being cared for are obvious and lead to an acceleration of one’s development in nearly all areas of life. And it is not as costly as one can imagine - the time dedicated to listening empathically to another individual’s struggles; the time spent helping another gain perspective on one’s experiences; the efforts to understand and objectively analyze another’s circumstances: none of this is ever in vain and can impact the community in surprisingly positive ways.
These are, I believe, the most immediate and most apparent advantages of providing mental health support within any group of like-minded individuals, and can lead to progress not only in the lives of the affected ones, but in the life of the movement and community overall.
There are certainly risks and responsibilities that come with such efforts. None of the participants of such efforts should ever take them lightly, and realize as early as possible, that we are limited in our capacity to understand and help others. We must not succumb to the idealist view of mutual mental health aid, where everyone agrees and gives each other pats all day long. We must remember the ultimate goals of the movement, and not water them down to spare another one’s mental state. We must also never view ourselves in any way or form as «guides» or «the wise ones» in the scenarios where one may show one’s vulnerability. Cameraderie and compassion, along with objectivity and reliance on empirical data, must guide us in our communal strive for the improvement of our conditions.
