Widespread Wellness Consulting

Medical sociologists study the influence of society on our health. Economic systems have long been identified as a part of the structure of a society that has significant mental and physical health impacts on the people of that society.
Capitalism is an economic system where industries are privately owned for profit. Consequently, it emphasizes profits over wellbeing, and tends to breed competition, inequality, consumerism, materialism, social isolation, and increased social comparison. In a society that holds an individual-centered philosophy, it can obscure the societal problems that contribute to our mental health. This creates undue blame, shame, and pressure on individuals for their suffering.
Research shows that viewing the excessive consumption of material goods as the road to happiness—well beyond what is needed for our economic, social, and psychological needs—is related to higher life dissatisfaction. Lower levels of materialism are associated with increased happiness and decreased depressive symptoms.
Before looking to individual faults in how we cope with life, consider that many mental health struggles are in part the result of adapting to a society that places value on things that create barriers to the basic building blocks of human health and wellbeing.

Learn more and get CEUs if you're in the mental health field!
https://www.continued.com/counseling/ceus/course/american-society-culture-and-mental-1801

Our culture, our society, and our social experience all impact our wellbeing. Disparities, or differences in health, exist when comparing different social groups. Your race, gender, sexuality, social or economic status can affect your experiences, access to resources, and social stress. Health disparities have been documented for decades but still are not fully addressed or significantly reduced.
The term cultural competency refers to the skill sets needed for health professionals and others who serve diverse populations. In other words, being competent in how best to communicate to individuals that are different than us in some way, being aware of those differences and how they can affect wellbeing.
Being “culturally competent” is not enough to create better relationships and therapeutic alliances with those we serve.
Cue structural competency. To be structurally competent, you have knowledge and awareness of the societal and historical factors that create serious barriers to health and wellbeing. You have understanding, or at least exposure to, the context and the backstory of the inequity we see in society. Whether it’s a history of trauma creating natural responses that are then pathologized, or policies and systems that create advantages for dominant groups—these facts on the ground can better prepare you to create better relationships with those you interact with.
Therapists, health professionals, educators, neighbors…seeing the context can create positive connections that work towards collective healing.

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