Why is the supposed "Greatest Country In the World" consistently the 2nd or 3rd most depressed country in the world? What is the US doing wrong?

[t-8900]

https://www.cbsnews.com/media/worlds-most-depressed-countries/
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/depression-rates-by-country
https://delusionalbubble.com/top-10-most-depressed-countries-in-the-world-delusional-bubble/

[aWes0MeNeSs]

Unpopular opinion, but I honestly think that we're largely over-diagnosed and over-medicated as a society, for one. I was put on SSRIs as a teen for "anxiety" (a. k. a. average teenage growing pains; I was not listened to when I said I did not feel any anxiety that was out of the ordinary, but instead told that I wasn't intelligent enough to recognize my own feelings and that people with fancy degrees knew more about what I was feeling than I did 🤬), which in turn created depression that only got worse until I got off of the damn things. I'm far from the only person to have dealt with this, and even have quite a few friends I've met who went through the same thing when they were younger. Children being put on meds for not acting like mini 35-year-olds (or being medicated as a substitute for boundaries and discipline), teens being medicated for being self conscious and insecure (newsflash: that is a normal part of being a teen, and everyone, and I mean, EVERYONE, experiences anxiety), and people in general being put on medications for problems that don't require it are all a part of this epidemic, in my opinion. Psychiatric meds can really mess with a person's head if said person does not have the chemical imbalance those meds are designed to treat. Society has also gone the way of wanting to take pills to solve their problems rather than doing what they need to do to work through them (and before I get flamed, I am NOT talking about legitimate chemical imbalances, yet problems that the person is fully in control of and can be changed without any brain altering chemicals). Depression is often a side effect of many of these drugs, ironically including antidepressants (for example, Zoloft antidepressants are what created my depression and have worsened it for a lot of others, and they are INFAMOUS for this sort of thing). I know many people don't like hearing anything negative about the psychology/psychiatry industry, but I can't help but notice that the mental illness and suicide rates have only gotten worse with psychiatric drugs becoming the new norm, and based off of my own experiences (which are not so rare and many others have reported experiencing very similar effects), it doesn't seem to be a coincidence.

Another thing is that social media and the culture surrounding it has created a lot of issues with people, I believe. It seems to bring out the worst in some people, and cause a lot of insecurity and even obsession in some as well. Some people also get addicted to it.

[t-8900]

I was on Paxil, Propranolol, and Clonazepam. I know what you mean! Only thing I would add to this is the shitty work/life balance that kind of kills everything from marriage and relationships... to the actual worker drone.

[aWes0MeNeSs]

Yeah, I think that definitely could contribute to it for some people! I'm very fortunate in this area (the work/life balance; though I have a rather inconsistent and weird schedule at times, which can get annoying when trying to plan things).

[t-8900]

yeah there should be a law for fixed hours. if they have to hire 2 employees so be it. Overtime should not be able to be mandatory but it should still be offered.

[menina]

Interesting question. I don't live in the US but I guess that this has to do will the divisions between the American people, the healthcare system and I guess that you work too much.
I'm surprised to see that the country where I live is not the most depressed and I'm happy to see that my country is one of the least depressed.

[t-8900]

thats great news! Some of us are born with a little more luck than others lol. I do not consider being an American all it's cracked up to be tbh. People in Europe seem so much more relaxed in general too lol.

[menina]

Yes, it is for my country.
"Some of us are born with a little more luck than others" - You mean in US or in general?
Europe has its own problems and dangers...

[t-8900]

@menina of course it does, just as every other place. But... people make more sense there sometimes >.> lol

And since Europe is a continent whereas we're just a giant nation over here I think maybe its easier to govern and contend with smaller groups? Could be wrong but the giant collective here is rarely if ever happy with things because we are so opposed to each other yet share a giant boarder. The US would be great if the Federal gov was extremely limited (as was intended) and mega corporations were kept in check.

[menina]

That's true. Hummm I know don't about the people make more sense there sometimes part... 🤔

Yes it's easier but there are also conflicts between the countries and they all have their own policies and beliefs. I still think that many things are better in the US than in Europe.

[t-8900]

@menina from what I understand about many of the places I was looking marriage and family structure is taken more seriously. Maybe not in like Germany, UK, Sweden, etc. But I feel like in other parts yes that is the case. Maybe because many still have deeply rooted traditions.

[menina]

It is but there are less people choosing to marry too. It's true that they have deeply rooted traditions but that isn't always a good sign to me. I see it as living in the past and not wanting to move on.

[t-8900]

@menina I think it depends on what it is. Like we have cast away a lot of traditions here in our country... and people dont seem to value others much anymore as a result. Everyone lives only for themselves and only for the moment. We have a lot of suicides here in our country, a lot of pedophilia, a lot of infidelity, a lot of abortions. Are the out of wedlock children on the rise there too?

Maybe I am not so well informed as I previously thought. I'm seeing more and more of this polyamory and it scares me because I'm all about monogamy and all about dedication and loyalty. But I feel like it's all evaporating before my eyes and like I'm a man out of time tbh. I was raised to venerate the wife and honor the marriage vows and it was always important to me. I'm okay with equality of the sex, in fact I encourage it. But my worry is that instead of bringing us to an equal footing men are going to be vilified for sins of those that came long, long before them. This new world we are entering, this new era. I don't feel like I belong or have a place in it because of my traditional roots. I tried conforming but all's I felt was sadness instead and it all makes me feel like love is a thing of the past. :(

[menina]

I see what you mean. I don't think that living for yourself is a bad thing as long as you're not harming yourself and other people. I don't judge people who commit suicide but pedophilia and infidelity are totally wrong.

"Are the out of wedlock children on the rise there too?" - I can't speak for other countries but I do know that they're on the rise in the country where I live.

I'm not ok with polyamory relationships either but if people want to be in them in them is their life, their choice. Honestly I don't believe that there will equality between genders ever but I get your point. Sometimes I also think that love no longer exists even though I'm not that traditional.
"

[t-8900]

@menina its not poly relations in and of themselves. its the fear of them becoming the majority/popular way of going about things. For people like me who are Demisexual that's a deeply terrifying prospect. It's very daunting if you want to raise a family.

[menina]

I don't think it will become majority. I'm sure you can still find demisexual people too.

[t-8900]

I hope... T. T

[menina]

I believe you will. :)

[MCheetah]

I'd say there are more depressed countries on here, like North Korea (obviously), Venezuela, or half of Africa, but there's not exactly anyone there doing depression surveys or going around asking its citizens how sad do you feel today. None of these lists even mentioned Greenland, South Korea and Japan, three countries with the highest suicide rates in the world (pretty sure you can't be suicidal without being depressed first). So at least some of that data is inaccurate or missing major locations.

Out of the industrialized, modern countries, I'd say overpopulation and corrupt government has a LARGE part in it. Like the US, India, and Brazil. Personally, I'd say you can't get more depressing anywhere on Earth than North Korea. Although west China (where all the concentration camps full of Uighur Muslims are located at). Then, you'd have much of Africa, especially the Congo. Then, much of South America, like Suriname, Guyana, and Venezuela.

If you actually look at an economics map of the world, you'd notice that pretty much just North America, Europe, Australia/NZ, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan have wealth (plus Libya, Dubai, and Chile, for some reason; probably oil money). I SERIOUSLY doubt that all of these places are legitimately the "most depressed in the world." We likely just don't hear about how hard they have it in Estonia, east Russia, 90% of South America, or 95% of Africa.

[CharlesScene]

This is truly an amazing question, that while in college during my phycology class we got to study for a bit. There is no true correct answer to this, as there is to many variables

Based on what I learned in that class and just the opinion of my professor, the major reasoning is Americans are lonely workers. We spend most of our week working, competing with one and another for the next big promotion, at hopes we can make a nice big salary. Forcing us into, not having much time to spend with family and friends.

Also, I would say most Americans that believe the U. S. is number 1 is really only saying that because, it is where they are from. Not really basing it on a stat or anything like that

[t-8900]

ah a fellow Psychology student! " the major reasoning is Americans are lonely workers. We spend most of our week working, competing with one and another" AAAND that's it exactly. That's the #1 reason that leads to so many other issues! Isolation and loneliness, self consciousness, infidelity, boredom, frustration, it all starts here!

PS: I'm no expert I just took some AP courses back in High School. Fun subject! :D

[CharlesScene]

I am not expert neither, I majored in Sports Management and took this course for credit reasonings and just basically quoted what my teacher taught us over this subject. I am glad that you like my answer though, I hope one day our leaders will start to look towards experts in the mental health field for solutions on how to fix this issue. I did however, enjoy the heck out of that class, I got to learn plenty about people and how we react to things, as well as learn more about myself. I am glad you enjoyed as well

[t-8900]

there was something I was watching about why Ireland is so much happier than most countries in the world. They have a fully paid for health care system, 34 hour work weeks, 6 months paid leave for both parents to be with their new baby, and 2 months paid vacation every year... NOW THAT is how you treat your workers!

[CharlesScene]

Well, time for me to learn the Irish language, I know where I am moving to. With health care being paid and 2 months per year, I would still have plenty of time to travel home, see my family, and have extra money in my pocket to make this happen

[t-8900]

@CharlesScene HAHA I hear you. But luckily Irish speak English. Very few have preserved the Gaelic tongue.

[CharlesScene]

Lmfaooo, sweet, this is gonna be kind of easy

[AmandaYVR]

I don't have the brain power for this right now.
But watch this video. It's iconic now.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/4fTkA3dvpPM

[t-8900]

haha i remember this one well XD

[bodiesands]

Love this

[t-8900]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv0lrMrKa60

[t-8900]

I dont actually think it will happen that china takes power over us, ofc. That's just hyperbole. I just think the message is true. We've turned our back on our founding principles and I think we are going to fall because of that in the end. Not so much economically as socially first I think. Our social order is turning chaotic.

[bodiesands]

Yeah... that second one is really dumb.
Especially as:

a) I've never heard of China 'owning' all, or any, US debt

b) China has very high spending and debt of its own, probably higher

c) This is just more tiresome fear-mongering against government spending - which is actually very useful in many ways.

E. g. Denmark is the happiest country in the world (officially, 2016), yet has one of the highest top rate taxes (~70%). Good hospitals, schools, swimming pools, roads, bike lanes, prison systems etc all require the economies of scale, efficiency, and lack of corruption only central planning and funding can provide.

Stories of people running away from ambulances in the US because they can't afford them blow our minds in the UK - but the UK is not perfect either, after 40 years of neoliberalism (i. e. freemarket, spending cuts, and deregulation on principle, all culminating in the self-sabotaging stupidity of Brexit).

[bodiesands]

The countries with the least trust in government, end up with the worst results. This is not to say that government should always be trusted - just that if it is perpetually distrusted, you end up with the worst possible politicians in charge (because you assume 'they're all corrupt anyway, so why not go for the ones who are honest about their corruption, and funny at the same time?').

Trust is a difficult thing to argue for, but in this age of feverish paranoia on both sides, seems the only sane option. And I do remember seeing some research showing its link to economic development. I. e. the countries with the highest levels of trust, are also the richest per capita. Because every relationship - personal, business, and political, goes better with trust, and is crippled without it.

Funnily enough, I believe that to be at least part of the Christian message - turn the other cheek, forgive, keep trying and trusting - because both one's life and one's society works better when one does. So it's baffling to me to see the US - surely the most Christian place on the planet? - so loudly and melodramatically seem to lose sight of this lesson.

[t-8900]

@bodiesands www.thebalance.com/u-s-debt-to-china-how-much-does-it-own-3306355

americanmilitarynews.com/.../
www.cnbc.com/.../...n-residential-real-estate.html
finance.yahoo.com/.../...anies-fast-170529725.html

[t-8900]

@bodiesands turn the other cheek for what exactly? Not at the expense of their survival. else there would have been no New Testament because the tribes of Israel would not have survived their foes. There's a time and place to "turn the other cheek" and it's in times of humility, not survival.

We are not the "most religious". We have people who scream they are the loudest, but do not practice what they preach. They might attend a Sunday sermon but as soon as that's over they go out and party, have sex, do drugs, bash others, etc, etc. Also I fail to see how it's not considered reasonable to not trust gov given that the gov is a shady and morally evil entity that has spread suffering, death, and pillaging the world over. And plus in the USA marriages have like a 50% failure rate. Thats like 50% of people breaking their word. No thanks, I'll keep my trust to those who earn it.

[bodiesands]

Yes on the religious hypocrisy. Though corruption is everywhere, and many third world countries seem even worse, it does seem odd that a country so vocally religious as the US seems more corrupt than say some European countries, who don't shout about their religion (and therefore implicitly their goodness).

No on the government thing. 'Government' is also who collects your bins, maintains your roads, runs your schools, and in more civilised countries runs your medical services. What people have an issue with is again *corruption* - which is really to say *sin* - not government itself. People can do bad things. But people can also do good things. To disbelieve in government - which is just a collection of people - because sometimes people do bad things seems silly. It would be like not ever getting married, because sometimes spouses murder each other. Technically logical, but an overreaction.

Yes on the marriage thing. I do wonder whether much of the point of religion was just to keep people together. Being trapped in a toxic relationship is awful, but being alone is awful too. And when men or women end up back in the dating game in middle age, it ain't pretty. I think part of the point of religion was the societal stigma of divorce, but part of it was just straight-up forgiveness, and ability to work through differences and problems without condemning the other person entirely. As we've seen with 'identity politics' on both sides, condemning the person entirely is the easiest and least helpful way to manage any relationship or discussion - hence the poison and paralysis of current politics.

[Jaximus-Lion]

Just a quick FYI here! It's only Americans who calls it (the greatest country) and few others from the reat of the world while they watch an American movie or a tv show and of course! Those who wants weed to be legal. I have been to the states and another 20 or more other countries. Every country has their pros and cons, there is very good countries near me, like Switzerland, Austria, Netherlands, Italy, Norway, Germany that i could move to. I moved from Iraq to Sweden, many of these countries ate similar to Sweden, not that much change when it comes to live in. I travel there, i worked in Norway and Germany, not that big difference in my opinion. The pros and cons of Sweden vs USA? Am sticking with Sweden. You have a wonderful country, very nice people, Vegas was amazing but not enough to leave Sweden. I might leave to Switzerland in the future, we will see

[CrazyGirl2]

It’s not the position we are in the world that counts its the promise of America… that if you work hard and sacrifice, then your children will have a better life than you did, and for 250 years almost that promise was true! This is the first generation where it may not be true! If that comes to fruition the the American dream is over!

[ManOnFire]

There are many reasons:
- excessive stimulation from social media
- poor sense of building relationships
- excessive sugar in our diets
- poor diets overall
- toxic workplaces and toxic managers/management
- too much hooking up
- not enough love in family households
- shallow friendships and connections
- too much freedom and the bad choices that come with it
- toxic school environments
- no sense of direction in life or in goals, which makes people think they need to "find themselves."

[TrueConfection]

Chemicals in our food, chemicals in our household and beauty products, over medicating with more chemicals... I think that about sums it up.

[t-8900]

would you say that mass consumerism or robotic work environments affect people's mental health too?

[TrueConfection]

Yes, but not necessarily in a negative way.

[purplepoppy]

Isn't that the whole problem? You bang on about being the greatest and how anyone can be rich and successful with a a bit of effort. Then people ask how come I work my bollocks off every day yet my lifes still shit?

[t-8900]

I've always been pretty Eurocentric myself simply because I was raised by europeans lol. But yes it always did kind of annoy me about the "we're the best" mentality. Its only certain parts of the population that gobbled that shit up though.

[bean2k21]

In actuality the word 'depression' is one used by us wealthier countries to describe feeling sad. These feelings can occur if you lose a percentage point in the stock market or if you have to temporarily stop paying your sugar baby in order to finance a new business. In other countries, being a sack of worthless shit is just called life.

[VanillaSalt]

This woman’s response is why we have depression. Drop her in the jungle or leave her in a third worth country and see if she still thinks life’s hard here.

[AviatorTom]

This is another example of people playing with statistics. If you consider all the countries of the world,, and look carefully at the world map (in the attached link) it's the Western ones (US included) who have the highest depression rates. That's because those countries detect depression in people and provide support for them. If you detect depression more, of course, you're going to end up near the top of the chart.

And look, in particular, at the numbers at the bottom of the map. Is there really that much difference between 5% and 6.5%, which includes most of the world?

by the way, most every person believes that their country is the best, wherever they live.

[Wester1967]

The greatest country is ruling class propaganda. Only idiots and oafs sign off on that sh*t. As BGS explains on youtube, in capitalism, 90% of the population has to be sacrificed so that 10% can live in comfort and luxury. That 10% is gonna hire all the stupid cops and brain dead soldiers on the planet to kill you if you disagree with the equation and those cops and soldiers will burn their lives away for a mess of BS because Rush Limbaugh or Hannity or Fucked up Carlson on Fixed News tells them too. You'll need 80% of those 90% to pull off a revolution and good luck to you.

"let us call out to one another in the darkness." - Pierre Joseph Proudhoun

[Uptowngirl88]

The US is doing everything wrong. Here's why:

In Sweden students get paid to go to school it's seen as a fulltime job where as America they put you in student loan debt.

In Sweden New moms/dads get a paid year off of work to care for their child.

Sweden health care is government funded and universal for all its citizens.

US designed system is the rich get richer , the poor get poorer. The working class gets taxed hard while loop holes are made for the rich to escape taxes. Which I get because if you're creating jobs you are essentially helping out the economy but working class shouldn't be taxed as much as they are..

US democratic party focuses on problems with other countries mean while US is in trillions of dollars in debt

[Uptowngirl88]

Our criminal justice system is 💩

[t-8900]

Ireland has a similar model and I'm sure a few other Euro nations do too. That is why we are not the greatest. Because we put our profits before our people EVERY TIME.

[AmandaYVR]

This is a great article summarizing the educational system and life in general in Sweden.
Just fyi.
Also, have you ever heard the term 'the tallest tree is cut down'? It's a metaphor for certain cultures, like Scandinavia, where individuals who try to push through and be more successful, attain more, achieve more, are derided/criticized by others. They don't like that mentality there.
There is a price to pay, several of them, for that type of society, for those advantages, and one of them is freedom of individuality. It's quite the antithesis of America.

[AmandaYVR]

www.theatlantic.com/.../

[t-8900]

@AmandaYVR after reading it I think if you are a Swedish Student, do your studies from home, and dont go out partying then you can make out like a bandit. What's more you can jump ship for a life overseas and do even better yet!

[AmandaYVR]

Smart!
Wasn't this an interesting theory?
"Nobody's exactly sure why this is. One of the more fascinating theories is that the differences in the strength of family ties in northern and southern Europe is a faint echo of invasions by the Roman Empire and Islamic caliphates in the Mediterranean region versus the Germanic-Nordic dominance in regions further north."

[t-8900]

@AmandaYVR yep its a cultural thing. I'm Italian and we are VERY close to our relatives and you feel stronger for it in many ways. However in the states it comes off cold. The culture is just... different. I was born and raised in the states but I was by Italian Immigrants. it still feels alien that people dont keep in close contact with each other anymore. And granted my own family has fallen apart because of American culture. Its one of the many things I hate about this country. The emphasis being always and only about one's self and no one else. To me its very toxic and a breeding ground for disloyalty.

[jennifer_bloom]

It could be various reasons - maybe the exhaustion of doing manual labour or the single parent families where abuses happen and kids get neglected. I read 1 in 4 Americans are raised by an alcoholic family member or relative. It’s just the media makes people believe everybody looks like Paris Hilton and drives Ferraris to school - only a tiny fraction live like that.

[Oigit]

There are a lot of reasons why. It's something that you very much have to break down on a individual bases. It is also one of those questions where the honest answers you get will floor you. It's a very complex issue. Also we love putting labels on ourselves as a country. Calling us the Greatest country in the world is a good way to get people to not acknowledge that we are far from it.

[Texaskid1]

We have forgotten the value of community ; of family and friends - we have become a culture that emphasises material possesions and keeping up with the Joneses above all else. We forget the material, while important in it's own right, is temporary. When you die you can't take your bank account, your car, your brand name clothes etc with you.

We are a culture that is obsessed with work. Americans work longer hours and have less vacation than anyother industrailized country on Earth save Japan.

This has led to a people that are overworked, obssed with the latest gadget or brand name shoe and consequently laden with debt. There are other reasons but I am tired right now.

My 2 cents.

[sunshineglow]

Because obsession with the materialistic can't satisfy the soul.

[Brokenheartedx]

I can assure you america is not the greatest country in the world. Its a mess of division and hatrid stemmed by thug rule that you are pestering out to the rest of the world.

[t-8900]

as an American one of things I always really hated about our nation is it's very long nose when it comes to world politics

[MJtheCoach]

I don’t believe that US is the second most depressing country in the world because America city to city state to state your experience changes dramatically I remember I was extremely depressed and alone I had no friends my job everything sucked when I was in Canada as soon as I moved to US I start making friends my mood went up I start losing weight food tasted better and I felt phenomenal!


One thing about US I have to mention is no matter what they do everything on the table and is the only country in the world where is open and excepting to criticisms.

[Floppy2112]

Well, we're moving swiftly into an authoritarian state. We have the most material wealth in the world, but money cannot buy you love. People don't love each other anymore, people hate each other, on large scales. Hate brings misery, the conclusion is inevitable.

[VanillaSalt]

Because without struggle we get depressed. We need the struggle to live to be part of life to not be depressed

[t-8900]

correct that is true. It's one of many factors but it's led to a lot of misery, stagnation, infidelity, etc.

[hahahmm]

Because unlike most countries, there's lots of people in the U. S. with the mission of creating confusion and lack of certainty about whether it's worth being a united nation or not. You have entitled people thinking that they're a victim of 50 different things and that they have no control over their own lives.

[MotorcycleMan]

We think we're the greatest country in the World because that's what we've been told, but then, so have most people from most other countries.
What exactly do you think makes America the greatest country in the World? We don't really rank in the top of much on a global scale.

[888theGreat]

This happens when liberals control government. Layoffs from putting businesses out of business. Product shortages. Higher taxes for everyone. No coal, or drilling of new oil, and pipelines shut down. Printing money and causing runaway inflation. Encouraging riots.

[t-8900]

I honestly think we've gone so far down a rabbit hole that we aren't even scratching the surface. I dont even know how things will get turned around... IF they can

[888theGreat]

It is all over but all the bankruptcies

[sage2021]

finally someone said what I was thinking! Your answer is the best and most truthful!

[sage2021]

To t- 8900 from Sage2021

[t-8900]

Yes but mental health has been on th decline for years. I certainly think they played a hand but a lot of it also imho has to do with a terrible work/life balance and horrible eating habits

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

The U. S. isn't a homogenous country which definitely hurts the social cohesion, as a country with many immigrants from literally every parts of the world with different cultureral backgrounds and religions, makes people not as sociable.

Secondly, Americans are overworked, paid little for their labors and spent too much time away from family and friends being at work, being with friends and family contributes to people's happiness.

[acooke-13]

As much as I absolutely adore the US, it is definitely not the greatest country in the world, it may be big but doesn't mean it's the best. I'd say somewhere like Switzerland is, which has friendly people and the lowest crime rate!

[jshm2]

Being the US, it's the greatest problem in the world.

It lost it's way since it's partner, the Soviet Union, was broken up. It's not had much of a purpose since. Just going off the rails, picking fights and stealing from others. It's turned into the new Soviet Union.

[Anonymous]

75% of people don't really like their jobs, now that is a good reason.

I was never really depressed until I entered the workforce and realized I had to do this for 40+ years and there is really no type of profession that I really wanted to do. I studied every profession out there and turns out, I would of loved to been a explorer, or a mountain man in the various tests I took.

Those aren't really paid professions anymore.

We need drugs to go to work each day.

[msc545]

Capitalism is the problem. Only a few people are doing well.

[hahahmm]

Funny, I know guys who came to the U. S. from 2nd world countries and were rich within 7-10 years. They love the capitalism here.

[msc545]

@hahahmm Funny, I know many people who came here to get rich and are now on food stamps. Anecdote is not a synonym for data.

[hahahmm]

The problem is you don't have an alternative that is better than capitalism. Some people point to a place like North Korea... ignorant of how you will literally be arrested there if you take time off from work without approval and sometimes people are forced to work long hours for 8-10 months without time off. BUT they do let rich people buy time off! Sounds fair... eh? So tell us what the alternative is or stop claiming Capitalism is the problem.

[hahahmm]

As to people on food stamps... ah, isn't it horrible when people get free food? What else do you think they should get? Free cars? Free condo? Free luxury vacation? I'd give them a free pair of shoes to walk to their next roadside construction job.

[msc545]

@hahahmm Socialism is the alternative.

[t-8900]

both are bad on their own, left unchecked. We need some sort of marriage between the two imho

[msc545]

Good point.

[hahahmm]

@msc545 Point us to a socialistic country which doesn't do what I just told you North Korea does which is more harsh than capitalism when it comes to a little thing like taking a vacation, then we can talk.

[msc545]

@hahahmm Norway, Stupid.

[noohair]

The condition of depression runs through the human population at a general rate that is the same regardless of country. In most places it is not recognized or treated. Certain cultures deny it's existence like the Iranian leader that said that there were no gay people in Iran. Very few people in South America have diagnosis or treatment available. We are lucky here to have access to medication and treatment.

[bodiesands]

2000 (two thousand) chemicals are banned from food in the EU.
7 (seven) chemicals are banned from food in the US.
'Freedom' and fear of government at any cost.

[lightbulb27]

there's a lot of things wrong here. were too rich, too poor, too medicated, removed values, removed god, filled it with junk media and stress, eat junk food, broke up familes to name a few.

[t-8900]

I agree with all those you listed with the tops being bad food, too many meds, broke up families and stress.

[Anonymous]

I don't know why any sane person thinks america is the greatest country anyway🤡💀💀

[zeitgeist057]

It's mostly measured by GDP, of which the USA is actually #1. Also by military strength, which it also ranks as #1. It is a highly influential and powerful nation in terms of resources both economic and military.

I'm not a big nationalist, screaming about being #1, but I certainly don't mind living and working here, where I can make enough working 6 months out of the year to vacation the other half in a cheap country like one of the dozens I've visited.

[Opinion Owner]

@zeitgeist057 well that’s a stupid measurement I don’t think america has the strongest military at all they literally went broke like 2 weeks ago too... i think there are many other “greater” countries starting with China especially impressive countries with dynasties and impressive histories and uncolonized lands

[zeitgeist057]

ok, well it's not a matter of "we asked a girl in her 20s what military in the world was strongest, and she seemed to think the USA was pretty strong.". It's a measurement done by how much military equipment, soldiers number of weapons, bases, and other resources are actually at their disposal, either deployed or in reserve. I don't know what you are referencing in "literally went broke" but they are still operating bases all over the world. From a search:
"The United States maintains nearly 800 military bases in more than 70 countries and territories despite recently closing hundreds of bases in Iraq and Afghanistan, but China so far has only one base in Djibouti."

I agree there are more measurements of what makes a country actually "great", like how happy the citizens are, how many basic needs are met, what kind of good they do in the world, also having rich culture and history, etc. I was just trying to answer the question you asked of how USA is seen as "greatest".

[Opinion Owner]

@zeitgeist057 meh a matter of an opinion it depends on the website u ask

www.tribuneindia.com/.../china-has-worlds-strongest-military-india-at-number-four-military-directs-study-228427

[Opinion Owner]

@zeitgeist057 American websites claim to be the strongest others do not agree neither do i infact i think American military is BS and they just go to other countries to destroy and steal no real purpose at all

[AmandaYVR]

It's not "a matter of opinion." Since when are wars not fought by air?
In that 'hypothetical situation', it's the U. S. that comes out on top.

In that link you posted:
""China would win by sea, USA by air and Russia by land" in this hypothetical conflict, it said.
"USA wins in an aerial war with 14,141 total airships vs Russia with 4,682 and China with 3,587. The Russian Federation wins in a land war with 54,866 vehicles vs USA with 50,326 and China with 41,641," it mentioned."

But American does way, way, overspend on this. What a waste of billions.

[zeitgeist057]

I agree that “American military is BS and they just go to other countries to (unethically control, manipulate, and garner resources)”.

…and if anyone else on the planet had a stronger military, then USA wouldn’t be able to do this. But since they dominate everyone else, they can act like bullies and get away with it.

[Opinion Owner]

@zeitgeist057 other countries are not as destructive and they don’t want to steal from other countries they hold morals unlike the American gov that simply wants to prove they are the strongest when they are the weakest

[Opinion Owner]

@AmandaYVR it is a matter of an opinon amanda lmao

[Opinion Owner]

@AmandaYVR having more vehicles and army doesn’t make u the strongest army wheb ur army just lost its million year war in afghanistan and they literally withdrew that’s enough evidence of of militaries weakness y’all couldn’t even defeat a couple talibanis that you urself fund its embarrassing 💀💀💀💀💀💀

[t-8900]

Everyone loses in Afghanistan lol. the geography there is a real b*tch to deal with

[Opinion Owner]

Gotcha so y’all are the strongest military until it comes to afghanistan or “that region” that you portray as backwards and have no technology and is so behind 💀💀💀

[Opinion Owner]

@zeitgeist057 nope i think america and the clowns of the world think america is the greatest because the media leads people to think so... otherwise america is a terrible country in all forms and measures many other countries are superior. America gets #1 in destruction that’s for sure tho.

[t-8900]

Do you not know the history behind that region? The greeks, romans, soviets, and americans all tried, all failed. And by the way I do NOT subscribe to us being the greatest nation in the world. Also we have clowns for leaders. So I think you got me wrong

[Opinion Owner]

That’s exactly my point there are stronger regions and regions unconquerable including the great middle east. The middle eastern war got the US nothing but debts😂

[Opinion Owner]

I am glad you are a sane American that acknowledges facts lmao!

[exitseven]

No other countries pay much attention to it and do not have pharmaceutical companies pushing prozac on TV all the time.

[Razp_Sorbet]

Because it's not the greatest country in the world. You can say it all you like, it hasn't been remotely true in a very very long time.

[HighValue]

Liberal policies and morals make for a depressed and dysfunctional society.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, not surprised that China made it to the top of the list. The Chinese Government is communist and hella depressing for sure

[MCheetah]

It probably is second overall (next to North Korea), but you're not allowed to talk about it or say it out loud (just like in North Korea).

[wankiam]

yeah thats how capitalism works unfortunately... ironically the happiest people in the world are in bhutan where they have almost no infrastructure, consumerism or tv

[TheSpaceGnome]

Thats a loaded question, because what makes an individual happy or depressed is extremely subjective, and all of those polls that try to count opinions, rely on sample sizes, rather than asking every single individual, so they are always inaccurate.

[whosnumber1]

it's not the greatest country in the world. I don't know why Americans continue to tell themselves that. but if it makes you feel better now power to you.

I will admit you have the best anthem

[t-8900]

I'm deffo not communist by any stretch but the USSR got us beat for best anthem ngl. As far as being the best, I don't claim that. I don't believe in a bear tbh. I believe in tiers based on a collective of things such as economy, military, political system, health care, contentment, etc. That's as far as I would go.

[t-8900]

*in a best

[007kingifrit]

its our social media use. lack of job opportunity due to high immigration, and general sensational news

stop using social media, get off the news forever, and vote for whichever party is more anti immigrant and it will get better

[jasco]

Due to having to much free time and having no goals in mind most people end up depress simply because they don't have a life

[rosesanddaisies]

Social media plays a big part. A lot of depression is also fueled by school and exam stress. I don't like the education systems here.

[Anonymous]

A first world third world country. Not all Americans but a lot I've met and especially advertised in media is a portrayal of money over everything type of attitude. Materialism is number one and nothing else matters. Plus doesn't help when you have hundreds of different cultures put into one area/ country with completely different values and histories. Im an advocate of treating people equally but i also believe there are massive issues that arise from multiculturalism.

[John_Doesnt]

Because it's the only developed country with no universal healthcare, no paid family leave and the most guns. Many Americans are living in fear of death.

[Still-alive]

its a complicated answer but rampant individualism is a huge component among them.

[Interstate]

Well electing Obama and Biden into office was of no help.

[BeMuse]

War isn’t fun. When you’re top, you’re always under attack.

[BeMuse]

[goaded]

The electoral system is geared to extremes, not compromise. Belief is thought to be more important than actual knowledge.

[Mossberg500]

Multi-Culti-Globo-Homo/(((them))) propaganda./unchecked illegal (and) legal immigration.

[Mossberg500]

I forgot to mention the Federal Reserve and general world central banking zionist Cartel the people who truly control the dispersion of wealth discriminately.

[Sam2021]

Glad Americans are waking up.

[t-8900]

the propaganda machine is on it's last legs at this point lol

[Sam2021]

God bless America :P

[t-8900]

lmao I really need to travel and see the world. alas that costs $.

[Sam2021]

one day

[Anonymous]

It's called First World Problems. When you live in a god-forsaken shithole there isn't time for depression. Same holds true in the shittier parts of the US. Depression is more closely associated with the First World disease known as "affluenza."

[Pillarofhell]

People that can't cope with being the master of their own lives. Most people do not deserve their freedom, they can't handle it.

[t-8900]

I think there's people all over the world being the masters of their own lives. In many respects Europeans are more free in their own personal lives than Americans. If for no other reason than not being tied down to a 60 hour work week with stagnant wages.

[Pillarofhell]

The reason we have homeless people is because people can't run their lives properly, but that's a continuum. Homelessness is just at the bottom. Depression is somewhere in the middle.

[t-8900]

homelessness is another thing entirely. I'm talking about America's white collar lifestyle of being married to your job because it's so demanding. That's why The Great Resignation has happened. People are seeing they have money, but nothing to spend it on. Basically because you dont have time to enjoy anything since you're back at office again same time tomorrow... and maybe overtime too.

[DiegoO]

You mean, the self proclaimed best country in the world?

The US has mayor issues that makes of its grandiosity a myth.

[Anonymous]

We (the Americans) are waking up and noticing the fact that we are #1 in military but # who knows what is satisfaction of life

[Naydyonov]

In America, it is Liberalism.
Feeling powerless to change your life is quite depressing.

[Pterodon]

What the US is doing wrong is electing liberal democrats

[knowingman]

Well first of all your government is so corrupt. Secondly you people belive everything CNN orNBC says. That can bring anyone down.

[PardontheMasculinity]

Goddamn xxxtenacion and uzi vert and that billy girl made being depressed cool and uninteresting people thought it was a personality

[Anonymous]

The US is a terrible country lol, I think only USA thinks USA is the best...

[Agape93]

Quite a damn lot.

[t-8900]

its definitely a lot for sure. If you had to put like a top 3 or top 5 what do you think the biggest factors are? Medical? Work Environment? Mass Consumerism? just curious

[Agape93]

Rights over bodily autonomy are constantly under assault, wages are far too low for the cost of living and were stuck in a perpetual culture war with dipshits and assholes

[t-8900]

I've clocked out of the culture war years ago. It's pure cancer tbh. Wages I agree, far too low... that or the cost of living is just too damn high. In many countries they make far less than us and have all they need and then some. Everything is out of control here with prices.

[Agape93]

Agreed. I'm tired of it.

[TonyMetal___86]

@t-8900 well too much freedom causes chaos, morals and values are lost, everything that is done which are considered wrong are allowed under the name of freedom, there are no boundaries...

When the real love is lost, the real essense of marriage and family are lost, what do you expect? A broken depressed lost generation!

A place where there is no difference between a man and woman, where everyone lives by their own and are affraid to say that they need each other because the society will take it as a point of weakness... etc

Too much unplanned pregnancies, lost teenagers, drugs everywhere, no one cares about the other and scholars are being paid to make the people swallow the idea that there is no god, no bible and that our lives ain't special and we just exists randomly...

The list never ends...

Ok the other side of the world, there are countries who are extremists, commits horror acts under the name of religion and subject under the dictatorship rules...

Just like too much freedom causes chaos, also too much oppression causes murders and wars!

Humans are still primitive because they can't even build a balanced place where a person gets all the positive points from both world...

We don't even deserve the love of god!

Maybe someday everything will change to the better, well i hope so!

There are still good people and that's what makes us stronger...

[TonyMetal___86]

In the past if someone wanted to committ suicide, everyone ran to save him/her it was like a red alert and when someone dies, everyone mourns and the dead is fully respected and prayed for to go to heaven unlike these days, if someone dies no one cares, if someone wants to committ suicide, there are people who will encourage this act and are happy if the victim does it...

No value for the human life...

Love these days is just a fake feeling, no one understands what a real love is, it's just words, i love you and you love me and that's it just words and anyone can say i love you and on the 1st turn, you will be dumped and left alone to suffer... etc

[jspl90]

no free healthcare no free education

[Massageman]

Watching too much CBSNews.

[TexasRed95]

No one said in what way its the greatest.