Cory Richards

Cory Richards Instagram – READ CAPTION // Mental health medications…let’s talk about ‘em. I think I was probably medicated too young, but it’s an unanswerable question. The various labels and mental health hurdles I’ve navigated over the years have brought with them an assortment of pills of various sizes and colors and I’ve often wondered about their efficacy. And still, I’ve taken them because overall, I believe in their value. It’s unarguable that we are an over diagnosed and over medicated society. It’s also important that I make clear that I’m not endorsing big pharma here. This isn’t a commentary on the healthcare system. What I’m challenging is the stigma around mental health medications. Many of these substances save lives and keep people safe and the idea that they are “bad” or unnecessary can be far more harmful than taking them. Yes, they can come with some shitty side effects. Yes, we need a lot more research and solutions and options. But there isn’t a silver bullet to calm the tempests of the mind and anyone peddling a sure shot with a handful of herbs and supplements probably isn’t very trustworthy. At their best, medications are used to carefully mitigate symptoms while addressing the underlying issues (almost always some form of trauma) That’s where the gold is. Building new systems and patterns of behavior is often only possible in the absence of acute symptoms. Still, some issues really do benefit from life long medicating. The truth that healthy people aren’t profitable is a tragedy. Big pharma isn’t incentivized to HEAL people. They make money off TREATING people. But those treatments can and do save lives. It’s impossible to make it all go away with a pill. But sometimes a pill makes it all seem a bit more possible. As with almost everything, mental health medications are a “yes, AND…” #thecolorofeverything | Posted on 11/Apr/2024 22:00:22