By EK Wills
As we are still suffering the effects of the pandemic, it seems the wave of mental health issues takes on many forms.
The distress calls and visits to services worldwide clearly mark this phenomenon but what is not openly documented is the undercurrent of anger and frustration that permeates our collective interactions.
People react to threat in different ways. Some internalise their feelings and withdraw, while others externalise their pain, which can be expressed as anger.
The result of all this tension at present, is the apparent erosion of tolerance for discussion, open debate and negotiation for resolution. Instead, the finger pointing and scapegoating leads to further cancelling to the point that no one wants to raise their hand to object and put themselves in hot water.
What is unclear to me is whether this is because we are siloed into our own echo chambers, hearing our prejudices and rhetoric bounced back to feed our own ideas. Or is it because we are fed up with the ongoing injustices that many groups face in our communities while the scum still floats to the top? Perhaps it is both of these and more.
Anger can be a motivator for change through frustration, encouraging us to address outstanding issues but it needs to be channelled effectively.
I joined multiple What’s App groups that were designed to further causes for minority groups such as newcomers to a profession and women. I joined them because I felt I needed the support in these spaces and wanted to face challenges with a shared experience.
The topic of gender relates to my profession in multiple ways and warrants in-depth discussion to educate others but is fraught with pain for some and strong ideas for most. Invariably, no person’s experience is the same and eventually someone calls out another for their beliefs, attitudes or behaviour and it leads to labelling or name calling.
I am deeply disappointed, particularly when this occurs in a professional and so-called educated space. I want to leave but am compelled to stay and am unsure whether it is FOMO or in order to be aware of the discourse in my professional arena. Mostly, I’m hoping for more information to be adequately informed but this does not appear to be possible in that forum.
Unfocussed rage is self-destructive of its purpose. If we lash out indiscriminately, it pushes others away. I have learned this time and again, becoming unpopular when speaking my truth. But if we channel this into a productive approach, the benefit can be shared by others who share the cause.
Steps to channel anger
1. Consider why you’re angry
2. What can you change and what do you need to accept or walk away from?
3. Use your anger as motivation
4. Focus on what matters
5. Find a productive action or join a group to facilitate action
I am still an advocate for rocking the boat, because without it there is no change. But focus is key as well as tolerance.
