Words by: Tom Cran (he/him)
Going for a run does make you feel better about yourself. I’m sure a saffron tea does make you feel nice, and going outside is good for the soul. But you can’t run forever.
While scrolling, a certain TikTok stopped me. It was a simple, but attention-grabbing clip of a tall, athletic man dressed in an all-black running kit absolutely booking it. There was white text across the screen – ‘depression can’t hit a moving target.’ I don’t know this man. I don’t know his life, his struggles, or what he feels when he’s sat alone in those moments of gleeful or sorrowful reflection. Maybe he really is the first man in the world that has outran depression. But for him to offer up exercise as a solution to a condition that pushes so many to the extreme seems horrific. The worsening mental health of men can clearly be seen online, the different ways it is discussed all seem keen to do anything but just seek help! While it has become difficult to separate the satirical from the genuine, there is a wealth of videos depicting loneliness in some sort of way: a bear looking longingly into the distance, or a variety of different film characters. The solutions presented online for loneliness, sadness, or any difficult emotion all come to share a common thread: not to seek help in any way, but rather just to see yourself as a “cool broken superhero”…?
Calling this sort of emotional suppression a male only problem would be ignorant. Though from what I can see, it often takes a different form in women. Taking my deep dive into anti anti-depressant TikTok further, it’s clear how many different accounts suggest natural alternatives or literally just nature as a solution to depression – with one clip suggesting ‘connecting to the land’ and ‘hugging a tree’, and other clips making references to saffron being just as effective as SSRIs. This specific saffron example was talked about on the Diary of a CEO podcast, one of the biggest in the UK. They talk about some research suggesting saffron’s benefits. While there could be some legitimacy to this research, most of the research in this area is in the early or preclinical phase, so broadcasting this to 1000s is incredibly damaging. Dr. Amen being interviewed sells these natural products, to list a few product names: ‘calm my brain’, ‘brain and body power max’, and ‘craving control’ – nice touch including an appetite suppressant. So, a man who stands to benefit from these products selling gets on one of the biggest platforms in the UK and suggests that legitimate anti-depressants should be ditched in favour of an overpriced spice? The internet is a place of forced beauty, and this is reflected in the push of natural remedies and exercise as a cure for depression. The “wellness experts” on social media know people love a pretty thing. Whether it’s a beautiful orange spice or gliding along the road in the newest sports kit, there is a clear theme of the solution being attractive. No one wants a pill, they want the new Nike Alphaflys or a tablet that’s organic, branded nicely, and is bought at Holland and Barrett for a markup. Anti-depression has got new marketing, and it’s selling fast.
Going for a run does make you feel better about yourself. I’m sure a saffron tea does make you feel nice, and going outside is good for the soul. But you can’t run forever. The mug will get empty and you can’t just ignore an issue. Depression isn’t just feeling upset. You can make yourself feel better for a bit, but unless you actually do something nothing will change. Social media has gotten caught up in products and activities, often failing to mention one of the simplest remedies – reaching out. One of the most common, but most truthful cliches is ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’, but our culture has become quite isolated (despite us being more connected than ever). It is crucial it’s encouraged to seek that help. It is crucial it’s encouraged to seek that help. The way I can best exemplify the benefits of this is through the lack of it. As someone who grew up doing a contact sport, I can confidently say (and speak for many others in saying this) that delivering a needlessly aggressive tackle as an outlet for anger, sadness, or whatever – while perhaps offering a temporary respite – simply doesn’t work. So, whether it’s a therapist, GP, or your mum, starting that process of reaching out is what can get you the help you need. The world wants it to be easy, but it isn’t. Help almost definitely looks like a tearful conversation, it may look like being prescribed something, but the only way to find out is to seek some proper help, rather than hugging a tree.
