Why Mental Health Has Become Political

Last week, Women’s Health posted on Instagram about the newly proposed health care bill. Were it to pass in its current state, we said, the 51 percent of women with pre-existing conditions could be priced out of insurance. We shared photos of our editors, including myself, holding signs listing our pre-existing conditions. A few opened up about physical issues such as heart murmurs, blood clots, and migraines. Others mentioned mental ones, including anxiety and depression. I held a sign that mixed both: “OCD & C-section.” The post led to a lively debate. Some women applauded with words of thanks, clapping emojis, and their own pre-existing conditions. But others questioned why we, Women’s Health, had a political post in our feed. “I love you guys, but health is not a political forum,” wrote one. Some commented on, and even questioned the validity of, our health issues themselves. More pointedly, our mental health issues. OCD “is not a disease. It’s simply you’re a control freak,” one woman wrote; another asked why several of our editors were admitting to being depressed or having anxiety, saying, “It’s kind of embarrassing for the mag to show all that.” With due respect to all Women’s Health readers and their opinions, I’d like to explain why, as a magazine focused on the health and wellness of women, this is a conversation we need to be having. First: Health has become political. An...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news