Capitalism as a socio-economic system influences mental health. It reframes everything from how we work and live to how we experience stress, anxiety, and general psychological well-being. So, how capitalism affects mental health? Let’s examine some of the key ways it influences psychological well-being.
What is capitalism?
Capitalism is a political and economic system in which individual people and companies own the means of production and operate with the purpose of making a profit. It depends heavily on wage labor, in which most people make a living by working for someone. This is a system that fosters competition and stimulates innovation but also leads to inequality and stress.
Statistical Proof of Mental Health Crisis in Capitalist Nations
Mental health struggles are quietly becoming one of the biggest challenges worldwide, especially in places where economic pressures and social inequalities run deep. The numbers behind this are hard to ignore.
Around the globe, mental health disorders contribute to roughly 290 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs)—a way to measure the years lost due to illness or early death. Yet, despite this heavy toll, governments dedicate only about 2% of their health budgets to mental health. This huge funding gap—estimated between $200 billion and $350 billion annually—means many people can’t get the help they desperately need. In fact, more people live with poor health caused by mental illness than from heart disease, lung conditions, diabetes, and cancer combined. By 2025, mental health issues will account for about 183 million DALYs, mostly because of long-term disability rather than death.
In capitalist nations, including EU countries, more than a quarter of adults aged 18 to 65 are currently dealing with mental health disorders. In England, for instance, rates of depression and anxiety have risen from 14.1 percent in 1993 to 17.5 percent in 2014, with even higher rates of severe symptoms. This is a reflection of deteriorating mental health related to social and economic factors.
Here’s how the numbers break down by country:
- In Singapore, roughly one in seven people have faced mental health challenges, with depression touching nearly 18% of the population.
- India’s situation is tough—10% of its people deal with mental health conditions, yet over 70% of them can’t access proper treatment.
- Malaysia reports that almost 30% of adults struggle with mental health problems, with young people especially overwhelmed by stress and anxiety.
- The Philippines has over three million individuals battling depressive disorders, and alarmingly high rates of suicide attempts among teenagers.
- Brazil sees tens of thousands per 100,000 people affected by stress and anxiety, making these the most common mental health concerns there.
Economic hardship, loss of social networks, and work stress are commonly mentioned as the main factors leading to mental health problems in many capitalist societies, demonstrating a close relationship between the economic situation and mental health.
How capitalism affects mental health
Alienation and Exploitation
One of the principal mental health problems under capitalism is alienation. It means people are disconnected from their work, community, and even themselves. In capitalism, workers commonly perform duties that seem meaningless or monotonous, a process that breeds feelings of emptiness and dissatisfaction. This disconnection can exacerbate mental health challenges, as it leaves a feeling of isolation and pointlessness.
Additionally, exploitation plays a significant role in this situation. Workers create value for their employers but take home only a portion of it in their wages. This discrepancy can create stress and feelings of not being worthy, which leads to anxiety and depression.
Inequality and Social Status
Economic inequality is a natural result of capitalism. Wealth has a way of accumulating in the hands of a few, and others get by on low wages and without job security. Studies have found that severe inequality is generally bad for health, not just for the poor’. This is because inequality intensifies competition for social status and resources, fostering chronic stress and a sense of inferiority.
The risk of mental illness among children in poorer homes far exceeds the risk children experience if they come from wealthier families. Issues such as deprivation, poor education, and insecure housing contribute to this. Social and healthcare resources are also unequally available, making it more difficult for those who are disadvantaged to get help.
Job insecurity and work stress
Under capitalism, we must often work absurd numbers of hours at absurdly high rates of productivity, and this produces burnout and anxiety. There is also a lot of stress and burnout resulting from the pressures we feel to “make it” financially and professionally. The growing prevalence of precarious jobs, so-called gig work, and outsourced labor has left many workers with less job security, no benefits, and little control over their work. This insecurity detrimentally affects mental health as it creates doubt and diminishes feelings of security.
Consumerism and Materialism
Capitalism encourages consumerism—the belief that happiness comes from purchasing goods and accumulating wealth. This may foster unrealistic expectations and the resulting frustration for not being able to afford or attain these ideals. The constant incitement to consume can also rewire desires and cravings, causing us to feel restless or dissatisfied.
Loneliness and Social Isolation
Capitalist societies tend to prioritize personal gain over community welfare. That focus can result in social isolation and loneliness, both powerful risk factors for mental illness. Those who believe in the capitalist system are more prone to be lonely and suffer emotional despair.
Final thoughts on how capitalism affects mental health
I believe the structure of capitalism harms mental health, especially for working-class and marginalized communities. The pressure of competition and the absence of real work build up anxiety and depression. I also think that if we’re serious about improving mental health, we need to go beyond individual treatment and consider how economic and social systems affect our well-being.
If we had less inequality and more stable, rewarding jobs, mental health would improve dramatically, at least that is the way I see it. Certainly, I think more responsive communities and social support networks can mitigate some of the isolation that capitalism creates.
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Sources:
- www.iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/381418/9789240110496-eng.pdf?sequence=1
- www.mckinsey.com/mhi/our-insights/investing-in-the-future-how-better-mental-health-benefits-everyone
- www.media.market.us/mental-health-statistics/
- www.worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/capitalist-countries
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