Because I have certain educational credentials, I’m obligated to protect others as best as I can. It’s a delight for me to make attempts to connect the dots in doing so. By placing this information out here, hopefully it will make others think about the origins of environmental hazards that have the potential to cause physical illnesses in their own communities.
One of the things I love is finding a documentary that has me on the edge of my seat. Directed by Stuart Strickson and narrated by Ben Fogle, The CHERNOBYL DISASTER (2022) is definitely one of them!
For those of us who were adults back then, we remember those haunting images coming out of Eastern Europe (Ukraine) about a nuclear incident that had occurred, and then later subsequent images of people who lost their health being exposed to the radiation poisoning that surfaced in the atmosphere.
The three-part video talks about the players involved in the government and the Chernobyl facility, the community as the nuclear plant was being manufactured, and the sights and sounds of the people within the community going about their daily lives. There are discussions about how the disaster occurred and why it was allowed to occur. The story takes us directly inside the facility with well-preserved film footage.
There are several explanations why this devastating incident is important in this century. It falls under the category of protecting our environment (first) and protecting our health!
The Russia-Ukraine War began in 2022. The images of Russian tanks that we saw a few years ago were entering the surrounding area of the Chernobyl nuclear plant, kicking up radiation dust as the tanks entered Ukraine. Dust in general, whatever its components, does not remain in one place. Dust spreads to other locations, and depending on the scope, other regions. The European Commission (2026) stated that “The Russian war of aggression on Ukraine, its relentless attacks, military activity in the region and disruptions to the site pose a continuous threat to nuclear safety, raising concerns about the integrity of containment structures and the safe confinement of the radioactive materials.”
Now we come to another important issue: Young adults and their health.
Siegel, Wagle, & Jemel (2026) reported that while certain cancers since 2014 – 2023 have declined in causing mortality (i.e., brain, breast, leukemia, lung), colorectal cancer has increased in causing cancer deaths among adults under 50 years of age.
To expand further, McDowell (2025) indicated that more women under the age of 50 are being diagnosed with cancer compared to men under the age of 50. “The incidence rate for women younger than 50 has increased from 51% higher than men in 2002 to 82% higher in 2021 (the most current year with data)” (McDowell, 2025).
While there can be several explanations why this community (i.e., adults under 50 years of age) is being diagnosed with cancer, we cannot rule out environmental exposure to hazardous materials as the culprit.
When every region on this planet has an adequate amount of mental health facilities, therapists, and medicine to treat its citizens, perhaps we can then say we’re entering a phase of global health success! Many people are living in war-torn areas, while others are dealing with natural disasters. These calamities take a toll on a person’s mental health. That is one reason why mental health experts are especially important for these global residents.
The References
The following resources have a wealth of information for individuals experiencing mental health conditions, for those providing emotional support to loved ones who’ve been diagnosed, and others without conditions who simply wish to become more knowledgeable regarding mental health sciences.
The Importance Of Relaxing
The following nature video (Relaxing Tree, 2020) is a reminder that visiting parks and listening to the sounds of nature can become a vital ingredient in having and maintaining calmness for positive mental health. It can become a method of getting away from it all periodically!
[VIDEO: 4K RELAXING NATURE SOUNDS – SHORT VIDEO CLIPS OF NATURE: SOURCE: RELAXING TREE, 2020]
Other forms of relaxation can involve meditating, engaging in yoga exercises, participating in arts such as sewing, crocheting, knitting, reading publications from favorite bookstores, and taking a walk after dinner, which can help reduce a few calories as an added benefit. Listening to quiet music, cooking/baking, gardening, housework, painting, sculpting, coloring in a coloring book, landscaping, drawing, building furniture, writing in a spiral notebook about one’s feelings and experiences, and watching television are also forms of relaxation.
A Person Should Never Label Oneself
An important aspect to remember is that just because a person is diagnosed with a mental health condition doesn’t suggest even remotely that they are a mental health condition. What the diagnosis means is that it’s another one of life’s challenges.
A Person Should Never Blame Themselves, Nor Compare Themselves
Some people will experience influenza and will suffer from symptoms temporarily. It could be because they’re younger, have no prior history of respiratory issues, and lack a compromised immune system. Conversely, other people may have a longer bout of the illness since they have a prior history of respiratory issues, they’re older, and already have a compromised immune system.
In a similar vein, each person who is diagnosed with a mental health condition may have a different reason for their mental health condition. For example, a person could be diagnosed with schizophrenia because they also have a form of Alzheimer’s Disease (i.e., comorbidity–more than one condition). Another person is diagnosed with schizophrenia because they have a sibling (twin) or a parent who was diagnosed with the condition years earlier (i.e., genetics). In taking the conversation in another direction, a person could be diagnosed with mild depression and needs medication temporarily because it began with becoming overwhelmed by life. They experienced too many negative personal life events. And then for another person diagnosed with depression, they may have to use prescriptions for the rest of their life because their brain chemistry has changed dramatically.
The associations, the causations, the bottom-up (i.e., physical illness bringing on the mental health condition), and other explanations are too involved and nuanced for the “How did this person acquire a mental health condition?” Thus, there can be any number of reasons why a person acquired a mental health difficulty, and it may not be a similar reason for other people with the same condition. Also, there could be situations where there are no known current explanations why someone ended up with a mental health condition, because those reasons are waiting for scientific discovery.
Getting Rid Of Stigmas
In the constant struggle to remove the stigma that remains in society concerning mental health challenges, people with psychiatric issues need to remember that they are not alone. Everyone has some form of mental health issue. Some mental health issues are minor, others are large, while others are dealing with comorbidity. Whatever the circumstance, everyone has something they’re dealing with. A person needs to keep going and live their life to the best of their ability!
There Is No Room For Negativity
Anyone who would make comments that a person with a mental health condition needs to “Get over it” or some other form of mocking/psychological abuse is not someone who should be in anyone’s social circle during the adjustment and recovery phase, and that could be for a lifetime. When a person is dealing with a psychiatric issue, they need supportive individuals who provide empathy and lots of encouragement. Actually, the toxic entities could be individuals who contributed to the mental health condition.
A Mental Health Issue Is Not Necessarily Psychiatric, Requiring Medication
A psychiatric issue occurs when the brain chemistry has changed (i.e., an imbalance of a specific neurotransmitter) and a clinical therapist is required (i.e., psychiatrist). For instance, a person diagnosed with schizophrenia has an imbalance of dopamine (an imbalance of dopamine is associated with schizophrenia). Thus, medication is necessary to create a healthy brain chemistry. Other people may have phobias (i.e., height, insects, certain animals, specific places, etc.), and a psychologist would be suggested for learning techniques in removing said phobias. A psychologist is ideal when experiencing relationship difficulties. A psychologist might be used for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help a client learn new thinking strategies in maneuvering life, along with achieving goals.
The following is a video that talks about psychotherapy, which is a completely different brand of therapy altogether:
[VIDEO: WHAT IS PSYCHOTHERAPY? SOURCE: PSYCH HUB, 2020]
Family Members Becoming Involved In Their Loved Ones’ Journey
It cannot be emphasized enough that family members can make important contributions when a person is diagnosed with a psychiatric condition. Members can provide a guardrail of sorts in making certain that individuals keep doctor’s appointments with therapists and take prescribed medications. They can even attend these doctor appointments with their loved ones. The person diagnosed with a psychiatric condition can believe that they have partners in gaining a positive quality of life. In extreme cases, a family member may need to obtain conservatorship. All of these suggestions can avoid potential tragic situations with law enforcement, which we hear all too often in the media.
Weight Gain From Medications Is A Possibility, Although…
People who are diagnosed with a psychiatric condition need to ask the therapist for prescriptions that have a much lower possibility of weight gain. Many of these psychotropics and antidepressants (Bright Horizons Psychiatry, 2024) are not only responsible for a larger waistline, but also for the possibility of experiencing metabolic syndrome because of the additional weight gain (i.e., higher blood pressure, higher blood sugar leading to cardiovascular issues) (Cleveland Clinic, 2025). Conversely, a psychotropic and antidepressant may not necessarily cause actual weight gain. Taking these medications can result in a complete change to the body’s metabolism. Some individuals can experience fatigue, water retention, hormonal changes, and other modifications without additional calories to their diet (Bright Horizons Psychiatry, 2024).
As an aside, imagine the middle-aged woman who was already experiencing metabolic syndrome because of weight gain from hormonal changes (menopause), and is now prescribed an antidepressant or psychotropic. She will have to worry about even more weight gain difficulties, and unfortunately, could become a likely candidate for cardiovascular issues, and worse.
An Important No-No
If a person wants to go off their medication, that procedure needs to be done with the guidance of the therapist and gradually! Waking up one morning and deciding to cease taking medication can send an individual spiraling out of control, and with tragic consequences to themselves and others.
Finally, dealing with a mental health condition, especially one that has altered the brain chemistry, is rough! Having said that, once a person has gained clarity through doctor visits and taking medication, a person could use their condition and start anew with living their life instead of merely existing!
Here’s wishing you good health, love, and lots of understanding!
Vikki
References
American Academy Of Neurology. (2025). Brain Health For All. Retrieved From https://www.aan.com/
American Psychological Association. (2025). We promote psychological science and knowledge to benefit society and improve lives. Retrieved From apa.org
Europe’s Journal Of Psychology. (2025). An Online-Only, Open-Access Journal For Scientific Inquiries Into A Wide Range Of Topics In Psychology – Free Of Charge For Authors And Readers. Retrieved From https://ejop.psychopen.eu/index.php/ejop
Therapy In A Nutshell. (2025). No One Ever Taught You How To Regulate Your Emotions. Let’s Change That Today. Retrieved From https://therapyinanutshell.com/
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), when left untreated with more contemporary medicines, can result in Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) for the person infected (World Health Organization, 2024).
THE DEMOGRAPHICS
CELEBRITIES, FIRST*
For those of us who lived through the era decades ago, it was nearly impossible to watch the evening news without the newscaster announcing that another famous person had perished from the virus that causes AIDS.
Hollywood lost beloved individuals (i.e., acting performers, comedians, dancers, singers, musicians) we grew up watching on television, at the movies, and at concerts. Along with them were playwrights, interior designers, directors, producers, and many other talented individuals whose eternal light was dimmed. There were athletes we admired who experienced an untimely death from this destructive virus (Dobbins, 2021), (Shnayerson, 2013).
The fashion industry suffered an implosion of deaths of fashion designers, soon-to-be designers, photographers, models, cosmetic artists, stylists, and others who worked behind the scenes at fashion photo shoots and fashion shows because of HIV/AIDS (Doonan, 2013). Some of us may have purchased clothing, perfumes, colognes, and accessories from these designer lines.
Burke (2025) included a listing of more famous names who lost their battle with the disease in “Famous People Who Died Of AIDS”, which shows people from the worlds of work in journalism, science, literature, politics, business, and other industries.
WHEN THE VIRUS STARTED COMING AFTER REGULAR PEOPLE
The National Library Of Medicine (1991) talked about the women who became infected with HIV: “In 1989, eight years after the first report of a woman with AIDS, the number of cases of AIDS among women exceeded 10,000, accounting for roughly 9 percent of all reported cases in the United States. In addition, women constituted a growing proportion of all adult AIDS cases during this time period. Prior to 1984, women accounted for only about 7 percent of such cases; in 1989 the percentage had increased to slightly more than 10 percent. Through September 1990, 14,452 cases of AIDS had been reported among women, and approximately one-third of these cases were reported in the previous year (CDC, 1990).”
Furthermore, “Unlike the majority of cases among men, AIDS among women is inextricably linked to intravenous (IV) drug use. Of the 71 percent of female adult cases associated with IV drug use, 51 percent of these women were IV drug users themselves and 20 percent were sexual partners of IV drug users. Overall, 32 percent of women with AIDS reported sexual contact with high-risk male partners (including IV drug users). The impact of IV drug use can also be seen in the geographic, racial, and age distributions of women with AIDS. In fact, IV drug use may be the principal determinant of the demographic patterns that have been observed thus far” (National Library Of Medicine, 1991).
Unfortunately, pregnant women who became infected with HIV decades ago transmitted the disease to their infants.
Currently, for pregnant women infected with HIV, there are antiretroviral medications that need to be taken throughout their pregnancies. Also, for infected women with high viral loads (i.e., over 1,000) and unknown viral loads, a C-section is required to prevent the spread of the disease to their infants (i.e., perinatal infection) (HIVinfo.nih.gov, 2024).**
THE BLOOD SUPPLY PRODUCTS: WERE THEY SAFE?
When HIV/AIDS arrived on the scene, the experts were unsure what they were dealing with! They needed to understand the virus’s modus operandi.
The National Library Of Medicine (1995) emphasized that “The events marking the emergence of HIV in the United States and its transmission through blood and blood products are best understood in four periods. (1) Through the end of 1982, people were struggling to understand an emerging disease and characterize the risk of infection. (2) In early 1983 official meetings took place and public and private decisions established the blood industry’s early response to AIDS. (3) Meetings and other occasions for decisionmaking from mid-1983 through the end of 1983 provided many opportunities for blood banks, blood product manufacturers, regulatory organizations, and other agencies to reconsider the decisions of early 1983. (4) During 1982-1985, research on AIDS led to isolation of the virus and the development of a screening test.”
The reader can learn more about America’s blood supply issue back then through the National Library Of Medicine (1995) in “HIV And The Blood Supply: An Analysis Of Crisis Decisionmaking.”
GOOD NEWS!
There is a decline in the number of diagnosed cases of HIV! The U.S. Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (2025) reported that “Progress in HIV prevention continues with estimated HIV infections declining 12% overall in 2022 compared with 2018, driven by a decrease (30%) among people aged 13 to 24. By transmission category, estimated infections attributed to male-to-male sexual contact decreased 10% and infections attributed to male-to-male sexual contact and injection drug use declined 27%. By race and ethnicity, Black/African American people experienced a substantial decrease (18%) in estimated infections. Furthermore, estimated infections fell 16% in the South.”
THE PREVENTION OF BECOMING INFECTED WITH HIV/AIDS
The U.S. Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (2024) has an excellent article with various recommendations for keeping people safe from this disease.
FINALLY
What also needs to be emphasized is that when a person has unprotected sex with someone, they are not only sharing bodily fluids with that individual. They are sharing bodily fluids with EVERYONE that person has ever had sex with.
National Library Of Medicine. (1991). National Center For Biotechnology Information. Describing The Epidemic Of HIV Infection And AIDS Among Women And Children In The United States. Retrieved From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234066/
*The usage of famous names is for the sole purpose of demonstrating how ruthless the virus became during the AIDS epidemic. The usage of famous names is NOT for the purpose of exploitation!
**These antiretroviral drugs that pregnant women use throughout their pregnancies are the same drugs recommended for ALL people diagnosed with HIV.
Since the January 10, 2014 posting, Psych Central: “Antibodies in GI Tract Linked to Greater Risk for Bipolar Illness”, research on gut bacteria has increased exponentially regarding how good bacteria plays a positive role for the mind and body, and in particular cognitive difficulties that can manifest from unhealthy bacteria. The following are links for additional literature concerning both kinds of bacteria:
Victoria Sutton's Psychology Blog 