This week on Portsmouth Point: Capitalist Realism and Mental Health

by Vivaan D, Year 12

I have recently finished reading a book called ‘Capitalist Realism’, by Mark Fisher. He writes on how the very nature of capitalism makes it almost impossible to imagine any alternative. Any break from the system is seen as unrealistic or impossible; this mindset leading to a phenomenon wherein people accept capitalism as a natural, and unchangeable force, despite its inherent problems, inequalities and contradictions. It is an interesting take on modern society.

In this article, I would like to stress his ideas on the relationship between capitalism and mental health. Fisher argued that capitalism’s influence extends beyond economics and into the realm of the psychological, into mental health, shaping the experience of all. This article explores the relationship between capitalism and mental health, investigating the idea that modern day, or ‘late-stage’ capitalism exacerbates mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and stress by fostering alienation, promoting unattainable standards of success, and commodifying wellbeing.

Capitalism undeniably promotes individualism - most can agree on this. It is this ideal that breeds innovation in a capitalist’s eyes, by fostering competition, and encouraging entrepreneurship. Fisher argued that this individualism promotes alienation, and isolation. Capitalism, in his eyes, frames people as simply isolated, competitive individuals responsible for their own success or failure. People, as an isolated unit, are left perpetually striving to compete in an unforgiving, losers game - where only the most successful can thrive. Even if you try to collaborate, some may argue that it only leads to further exploitation, as people take advantage of kindness, leaving you weaker, making the system practically impossible to overcome. This burden leads to significant psychological and emotional consequences.

Moreover, people are not only disconnected and isolated from their community; they are isolated from their own sense of self worth and fulfillment. In modern society, people are constantly told that their worth is determined by how high they can get up the social ladder, or how much wealth they can accumulate. This intense pressure results in extreme competition, which isolates individuals from each other, turning interactions transactional, or for material gain.

The individual is seen as alone, completely alone in navigating the challenges of life. A Capitalist Realist would argue that this society leads to widespread feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. People are under constant pressure to perform in every aspect of their lives; in their careers, personal relationships or social standing. This can be overwhelming, and even more overwhelming in a world that highlights failure, and the differences between those who succeed and those who fail. This sense of being judged on one’s material achievements can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self doubt, contributing to poor mental health.

The part which I found the most interesting was what Mr Fisher wrote about the commodification of mental health. Fisher argues that large pharmaceutical companies, such as AstraZeneca and Pfizer, exploit the problem that capitalism itself creates, forcing individuals to buy medication to treat their mental illnesses. Capitalism, rather than solving the systemic issue, focuses on quick fixes, marketing ‘self care’ as simply buying more products, commodifying mental health and highlighting the problems with consumerism. The rise of private therapists and self help gurus also contribute to this. Individuals buying medication and therapy manage their symptoms in a way that benefits large corporations and medical professionals, not fixing the underlying root cause. Fisher’s underlying view is that mental health issues are treated as an individual issue, when in fact they are systemic. This system profits from people's sufferings without addressing the root causes of their problems, by focusing on individual solutions, leaving people to navigate a world that is inherently alienating and harmful to their wellbeing. One must also consider the potential benefits of capitalism in this sense. A rich capitalist would, to some extent, seek the well being of his employees - they need the employees to be fit and healthy, to be efficient workers. Therefore, to some degree, capitalism must ensure some level of societal health in order for the system to function - to have a competitive, efficient workforce. This is usually why capitalist governments have labour laws, or why some companies offer things like free gym memberships.

Mark Fisher’s ideas on mental health are very interesting, but one must consider the alternative explanations or critiques to his theory. Fisher argued that capitalism is the sole reason for the mental health issues we face today. This, I dispute. Mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety; are not unique to capitalist societies - they exist in different political and economic systems, and have done so throughout time. An example I would like to highlight is with the Inuit. These peoples, indigenous to the Arctic regions, have historically faced mental health challenges, particularly related to the harsh environmental conditions and deep isolation in which they have lived and live in today. The long, dark winters without sun or with very little; alongside the extreme cold, create stressors that contribute to mental health issues like depression, or hikikomori, a phenomenon almost unique to the Inuit. This shows that mental health issues are not exclusive to capitalistic societies. However, the Inuit’s solving of these issues, with community healers and shamans, using spiritual practice and therapy to reintegrate people into society, seems a more sustainable and interconnected way to treat mental illnesses.

Another common critique of capitalist realism is its inability to see the positives of an individualised mental health treatment system. Everybody is different, and everyone has a certain nuance about them which, even with an end to capitalism, would not change. Therefore, there is an argument to be made that the vast formats of self help and therapy available to individuals in a capitalist market is a good thing, as everybody is unique in their own way, being brought up in different ways and having different values. The humanistic approach many therapists take to their work benefits many in solving their mental health problems. Capitalist realism’s argument that mental health is solely systemic should be disputed, as it fails to consider the individual nuances that people have, and the idea that the capitalistic way of solving these issues may be beneficial in some regard, with humanistic therapy, and perhaps spirituality, helping people move beyond their mental health problems. Indigenous societies like the aforementioned Inuit also use these spiritualistic practices. While mental health conditions may be exacerbated by capitalism, it is not the sole reason for many of them.

It is also important to look at the current state of mental health in the UK, and the world as a whole. The UK is currently experiencing a mental health crisis, with 1 in 4 people experiencing a mental health illness at some point in their life, and 1 in 4 also saying they feel stressed more days than not. The British Medical Association recognises this crisis, and has called for extra funding in mental health, which would be used for mental health research, crisis hotlines, and beds. However, it seems as though the current government is looking to cut costs wherever they can. There have been recent potential plans to scrap the Mental Health Investment Standard, which would be catastrophic to an already fractured system. Furthermore, the government has announced they are shutting down Safeline, the only helpline dedicated to helping male survivors of sexual abuse, a key component causing mental health issues as a whole. These cuts to mental health funding would damage the already inadequate system, which the government needs to reform and act on.

The observations which Mark Fisher makes, relating capitalism to mental health and the structure of modern social systems, suggest that society cannot function effectively under capitalism. The suggestions of Capitalist Realism hint towards a greater exploration of the structures and systems which currently dictate our way of life, economic policy and mental health, and how to elevate them to become more efficient and ethical; as Fisher argues that we should prioritise the interests of a collective society over the interests of a singular individual, for this is the only way forward for societal success.