Esther Perel says some distress reflects societal problems, not mental illness

What was said

"we're not necessarily having mental health issues, we're having societal issues that create mental health consequences. But to then medicalize it all and turn it into pills that will help us with mental health problems is really a deviation of where the responsibility lies."

Esther Perel argues that what is often framed as rising mental health problems may instead be societal conditions producing mental health consequences. She says swapping in-person rituals for virtual connection can leave people feeling hollow, and warns against medicalising the fallout as a substitute for social responsibility and real-world contact.