The Impact of Broken Relationships on Depression in Modern Society

Most cases of depression are a natural response to our broken society. Our sense of worth, purpose, meaning, and joy comes from relationships, but these relationships have been systematically destroyed. In the past, families had five safety nets: nuclear family, extended family, kith and kin network, surrounding family friends, and religious connections. These networks provided support and prevented individuals from slipping through the cracks. However, today, these networks have diminished, leaving only the nuclear family, which is also often shattered. Without these relationships, people struggle to understand the importance of connection and impact on others. Relationships are essential for creating a legacy and finding meaning in one's work. In the modern world, families are fragmented, with multiple generations living apart and limited time spent together. People are increasingly mobile, often moving far away from their birthplace and scattering their connections. This separation and lack of proximity erodes the support and closeness that humans are naturally meant to have. This brokenness of relationships contributes to the high levels of depression in society.