Mental Health Influences on the Market

August 8, 2025

There were signs that my sister was not right mentally even when we were kids. Among other things, she would steal money and belongings from us and sell them, without any shame, like it was her right. Items that held sentimental value for me, of memories of girlfriends, or proud moments would one day vanish, and I would learn have been sold for minuscule amounts compared to what I valued them at. Often, she would scold my brother and I when we wouldn't go along with what she wanted, so harshly that people passing would think she was being sarcastic. I suppose, we are not that important to her.

Living with her was difficult, and harder to forgive. As we grew, we considered it a blessing that we were less a part of her life, and would get reports of events second-hand. We went to her wedding, but it could have been a strangers. Even there, we got scolded for not living up to her expectations of what our role should be. Darkness followed her and soon she had a miscarriage. This loss is what we all imagine snapped something in her brain. From then on, my sister thought herself a member of Croatian royalty. She demanded we treat her as such. She even traveled to 'audiences' in Singapore, Los Angeles, and elsewhere throughout the world. Challenging her and asking her to seek help went nowhere. She was so adamant that we were wrong that one time I started questioning myself and called my mother only half-joking to ask if she was sure we were not royalty.

Her mental health challenges taught me how fragile the mind is. It was a reminder that when I found myself arguing with someone on the internet, I would pause and think, "am i arguing with someone like my sister?" She showed me journalists don't care for facts, as she appeared in character in her local newspaper commenting on some event happening in Croatia. Her madness would not stand up to the most casual scrutiny, yet it was published. I learned you can get away with a lot more when you don't have control of your mind. An investor of some type, (probably a scam artist) when they discovered she was not royalty, reported her to the police. The police investigated but didn't pursue it. I guess a case with a scammer on one side against a person who struggles with mental health isn't something that is in the public interest.

Apart from these comical events, even at the distance our lives are, it has been a challenge for our whole family. Of course, her marriage fell apart, she is increasingly difficult to be around or even talk to. She only contacts us when her decadent life catches up with her real world income.

She is not a physical danger to herself or to others, so she is permitted to roam the streets, and the world at large, living this fantasy that one day will have to end in tragedy. But, this is not even the saddest part.

There are a reported 54 million people in the United States that live with a mental illness. That is 20% of the population. Among youth, the next generation, 50% of them will suffer from a mental health episode. That is just reported cases. How many, like my sister, wander the streets undiagnosed? Maybe she has been diagnosed, she wouldn’t have told us and that would be the only way we would find out.

There are so many in this state, that like the the baby boomers of their era, the mentally ill will be the prime consumer, and be the prime target of advertisers in the future. Our failure to make sure people like our sister can lead a productive life, not only affects us, but everyone. It will totally change our society from one that caters to healthy, productive people, to one that earns profits off the illusions of a clouded mind.

Diagnoses of mental illness have risen dramatically over the past 10-15 years and there is no sign they will abate. To add to the dismal forecast there still is no conclusive studies on how bad the corona virus closure of society has affected mental development and will compound future cases. If such a study exists, it is probably a state secret.

The market is already changing. In the digital world, we see mental therapy apps, wellness products, apps to help ADHD sufferers, low-stimulation entertainment like slow TV, (uninterrupted footage of normal every-day events), ambient games (where minimal input is required from the player, and the on-screen character will progress and level-up automatically, like watching someone else play, but without the failure), ASMR (low bass audio that helps the mentally ill relax) and other mental-health-themed fashion, art, and even jokes. All geared to reduce the chances of over-stimulation in the sufferer.

Wellness, which used to be about enhancing personal performance, will transform into businesses teaching people how to merely cope or survive.

Marketing will mirror these themes, avoiding bright colors. and encourage customers to rest. New products will focus on things that allow them to recharge and heal.

Entertainment will be watered down, with content that does not ask too much, if anything of their viewer. Even now, there has not been a good movie in years. I am trying to think of the last good one? Beekeeper with Johnathan Statham is the last one I can think of. There was that Cocaine Bear one that was entertaining, but I don’t think I would have went out of my way to watch it. I am not foreseeing the downward spiral of the entertainment world changing. The movies of the future will be 4K extravagant slow-motion sunrises in remote locations.

Though current employers are trying to avoid hiring mental sufferers, the problem will be so pervasive that they will hire them unknowingly or have no choice but to appease them. Work schedules will have more flexibility in working hours and even days worked. It is hard to imagine, but responsibility will most likely not rest on a single person.

What kind of society are we if we profit from mental illness instead trying to understand and prevent it? The fact that it is so out of control shows that there is no will to change the trend. Corporations will meet the demands of the consumer. If the consumer is mentally ill, what should it matter? If there are more mentally ill? Great! We will have more customers.

And what of those without mental deficiencies? Will we stumble around in a world without challenge? At my age, I am constantly trying to find new experiences to keep my mind agile. Will one day someone shuffle in to tell me in a monotone voice to take it easy?

The meek shall inherit the earth. That day is not far off.

Zaarin -- Founder n·h·g