Notes for 06/01/25
MAGA authoritarianism, Social connections, Mental health insurance parity, Blue Skies (the novel), Meditate reading short stories, After Dinner Conversations, DEI works, Lindsey's got to go
MAGA - While Trump is trying to ruin universities and end scientific research, letting China pull ahead, he’s expanding the use of the military to “enforce the law,” and quadrupling federal resources for prisons and detention-related facilities. Just like authoritarians in China in the nineties, instead of taking care of the nation’s health, Trump is expending vast resources to surveil and control us. (Sabrina Haake, 06/01/25)
The great line in the movie, The Godfather, was “keep you enemies close to you.” Another version might be “keep your eye on them”. Another bit of advice is “figure out what they’re up to.” Another observation is “just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you.” Children raised in dysfunctional families often learn as toddlers to spot trouble at 100 yards and adapt survival strategies accordingly.
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Mental health practice - In my study of healthy aging the idea of "social connections" is emphasized over and over again with very good quality of life measures for people who have them. These connections come in many forms as you and others have pointed out.
Back in the early days of my career as a Psychiatric Social Worker, I worked on many inpatient psych units where we used "Problem Oriented Records". Many times the problem of social isolation was listed with the goal to "expand social support system." The easiest way to help people do this is to join a club and "psycho-social clubs" were very popular. Fountain House in NYC was the prime example. In Rochester, NY we had "Operation Friendship." Churches, civic organizations, sports teams, and other hobby oriented clubs are good possibilities. Lately, to older retirees I have been suggesting volunteering for a favorite cause or charity organization.
People need meaning and purpose in their life and I get to that idea with people by asking, "Finish this sentence: The three things that matter the most to me in my life are ________________, _______________________, and ________________." The answer to this simple question contributes to very interesting discussions that are often strength based rather than problem oriented.
This kind of framing is what I think Yalom means by "existential psychotherapy."
Freud said mental health was "to love and to work." Well, yeah, but what do love and work have in common? Meaning and purpose. How do you, if you do, help your clients find meaning and purpose in their lives? (David G. Markham post to Clinicians’ Exchange on 06/01/25)
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The flaw in mental health parity policy - It seems that this discussion is based on the assumption that mental and physical health are the same thing? Are they? What are the similarities? What are the differences?
An argument can be made that the idea that mental health is a medical phenomenon and best managed within the health care discourse is problematic to begin with. Many mental health clinicians subscribe to the bio-psycho-social-spiritual model.
In order to make money in our profit making health care system, the payors have insisted that service be focused on the "bio", that is "medically necessary." Many clients need far more services than just for the bio. Who is going to pay for them and under what discourse? Perhaps the idea that the health care companies should pay for human services that focus on the needs other than the bio is fundamentally misguided. (David G. Markham post to Clinicians’ Exchange on 06/01/25)
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Blue Skies by T.C.Boyle describes an extended family dealing with climate change in somewhat satirical ways that contribute to what we are now calling “trauma” in the form of arm amputations as the result of tick infection, and child death as a result of being eaten by a pet python. If you like books that make you think, “My life is a mess at times, but it’s not as bad as theirs” you might like this book. If you’d like my copy, send me the address you want it sent to davidgmarkham@gmail.com. (Blue Skies on Amazon)
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Reading and writing - “I believe that reading and writing are the most nourishing forms of meditation anyone has so far found. By reading the writings of the most interesting minds in history, we meditate with our own minds and theirs as well. This to me is a miracle.”
— Kurt Vonnegut (1922–2007), “Palm Sunday”
~ Follow-up Question:
How does the experience of writing—crafting thought into language—transform private reflection into a shared contemplative act, and can this process itself be considered a spiritual or transcendent one? (Wisdom Letter #291, June 1, 2025)
One of the topics covered regularly on davidgmarkham.substack.com are good books and articles worth considering reading. To what extent do you agree with Vonnegut that reading and writing are forms of meditation?
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After Dinner Conversations is a monthly “Philosophy/Ethics Short Story Literary Magazine.” The March 2025 edition has stories about emotional regulation, weight loss, human evolution, seeing your life depicted in a Netflix series, and in choosing to come back to life you will never die again. After each story are questions for reflection and/or discussion. If you would like my copy free of charge send the address you want the book sent to to davidgmarkham@gmail.com
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DEI works - While the MAGA proponents dislike DEI policies and the Federal Government has sanctioned agencies and countries for implementing them, sociological research shows that the policy works to improve the economy and quality of life for all people. (The Conversation, 05/30/25)
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Lindsey Graham, MAGA senator from South Carolina, has behaved in unethical ways and is not competent to represent the citizens of South Carolina and the United States in the Senate. Vote for Dr. Annie Andrews. (Chop Wood, Carry Water, 06/01/25)
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