Harriet and Max talk with Pete Bourgelais about mental health in rural America, with emphasis on Maine because that's where Pete is from (and is running for office to push for a Green New Deal, support for local organic farmers, and public broadband). Harriet emphasizes connectivity as central to mental health, and explores with Pete questions about how people in small towns connect with each other. Pete walks us through the economic history of Maine, as having depended on manufacturing which was outsourced first to the American South then eventually, mostly, to China. Lack of jobs, an aging population, and lack of services those of us in cities typically take for granted, creates unique challenges for rural Americans. Max asks Pete about whether "hick" and "redneck" stereotypes have an impact on rural people, and whether or not it's a myth that white rural Americans are "more racist" than other white Americans.
(Board of Behavioral Sciences: Max was joking about being drunk at 9am.)
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Resources:
Rural America Reimagined
https://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/rural-america-reimagined
Maine is the hardest-drinking state in New England:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/03/08/these-americas-drunkest-states/406342002/
‘This will be catastrophic’: Maine families face elder boom, worker shortage in preview of nation’s future
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/this-will-be-catastrophic-maine-families-face-elder-boom-worker-shortage-in-preview-of-nations-future/2019/08/14/7cecafc6-bec1-11e9-b873-63ace636af08_story.html?arc404=true
White poverty exists, ignored (from 2014, a little dated in places)
https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/leonard-pitts-jr/article2518087.html
Black Lives Matter protest in Kingfield (population 997) peaceful
https://www.theirregular.com/articles/black-lives-matter-protest-in-kingfield-peaceful/
Hollowed Out: Against the Sham Revitalization of Appalachia
https://thebaffler.com/salvos/hollowed-out-ray
ATTENTION! This is a Boring Dystopia/Obligatory 'don't sue us' message: This podcast provides numerous different perspectives and criticisms of the mental health space, however, it should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your medical professional with regards to any health decisions or management.
