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In the novel Fahrenheit 451, we can see that Ray Bradbury emphasizes the issue on mental health, specifically addressing the struggles with depression in society and using coping mechanisms to deal with it. Although there isn’t much talk about the mental illness itself, there is the use of body language, reactions of the characters to certain things, and  physical actions to help us better understand what Bradbury’s point is, which is the stain, if you will, that accompanies mental illness.

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In the novel Fahrenheit 451, we can see that Ray Bradbury emphasizes the issue on mental health, specifically addressing the struggles with depression in society and using coping mechanisms to deal with it. Although there isn’t much talk about the mental illness itself, there is the use of body language, reactions of the characters to certain things, and  physical actions to help us better understand what Bradbury’s point is, which is the stain, if you will, that accompanies mental illness.

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Mrs. Jenkins
English 10-7
4 May 2018

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Jake Tyler talks about how deep in depression he was until someone he loves, his mom, suggested he got help. After that, his life started to turn a corner.

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"I'm Fine" - Learning To Live With Depression | Jake Tyler | TEDxBrighton

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When it comes to mental health in Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, it definitely laid the groundwork for how our society is when it comes to mental illness in modern day. “Montag walked to the kitchen and threw the book down. ‘Montag,’ he said, ‘you're really stupid. Where do we go from here? Do we turn the books in, forget it?’ He opened the book to read over Mildred's laughter. Poor Millie, he thought. Poor Montag, it's mud to you, too. But where do you get help, where do you find a teacher this late?” (Bradbury, page 31). This quote shows that Montag is attempting to use the books to cope with the fact that no one in his society understands him or what is going on in anyone’s lives but their own. Another quote that supports this is “He was not happy. He was not happy. He said the words to himself. He recognized this as the true state of affairs. He wore his happiness like a mask and the girl had run off across the lawn with the mask and there was no way of going to knock on her door and ask for it back.” (Bradbury, page 35). This was another way that the book portrayed different coping mechanisms because he used an unhealthy mechanism as well. When someone wears a mask to hide their true self, it really isn’t healthy.

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When it comes to this story, there were also many ways that the story portrayed self destructive behaviors. It even started on the first page with the quote, “It was a pleasure to burn” (Bradbury, page 1). Even if Montag changed, and even if he could symbolize a character that really found themselves and was able to change who they were, this is still who he was in the beginning of the story. Even if he was able to change, you can’t change the past, and neither could he. Another quote that supports the aspect of being self destructive was from Captain Beatty, the story’s main antagonist, even if we don’t fidn that out until later on. “Monday burn Millay, Wednesday Whitman, Friday Faulkner, burn Ã«em to ashes, then burn the ashes. That’s our official slogan” (Bradbury, page 8). The slogan of the firefighters in itself is self destructive. Instead of trying to understand the books and what they can mean, they choose to burn them. This symbolizes the fear we can have of unknown things and information. Although it may seem normal to fear things we aren’t familiar with, it is actually self destructive. Since we aren’t giving ourselves the chance to learn these new things, we are making it so we can’t learn them, even if they could improve our lives drastically. This was true in both the story and in our everyday lives.

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Another big problem when it comes to mental illness in Bradbury’s novel is when people conform to the negative emotions around them. The quote from Montag that does explain how he feels can show that people sometimes don’t want to conform to negative emotions, or stoop down to their level. “Why do people want to hurt people? Not enough hurt in the world, you got to tease people with stuff like that!” (Bradbury, pg 97). Sometimes people just don’t really know how to react other than being as low as some choose to be. Another quote that supports this claim is “We’re headed right for a cliff” (Bradbury, page 63). This quote supports the claim because when people begin to get into these negative parts of their lives, they feel as though at any moment, they will just be gone. Off of the cliff. Never to be seen or heard from again. When people aren’t able to get out of this dark place, it is easy for others to also get into these negative parts of their lives as well. That’s why it is important for us to help one another, and even if we do want to get help, to not make it so we are trying to get others to feel this way as well.

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“The most common type of depression is called major depression, and it occurs when symptoms interfere with the enjoyment of life or with daily functions — including work, sleep, and eating habits — for at least two weeks straight” (everydayhealth.com). This makes it so we can find other ways to serve these normal bodily functions and actions. Whether or not they are positive.

“There are numerous factors that can trigger the onset of depression, including bereavement, illness (such as cancer or chronic pain), social isolation or loneliness, and stressful life events (such as divorce or money difficulties). Depression can also occur spontaneously, without any obvious cause” (everydayhealth.com). These different things that can trigger depressive episodes can can make it so you try to do these negative things to fix them, even if it will do more harm than good. “Life circumstances. Marital status, relationship changes, financial standing and where a person lives influence whether a person develops depression” (nami.org). These many different things that can cause horrible ways to cope make it easier to understand why people do these things that can harm them so much that they can never go back. Bradbury definitely had it right when he wrote his story, because these horrible mechanisms aren’t in any way what people should be doing to help their situation.

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“The U.S. Surgeon General has defined mental health as "a state of successful performance of mental function, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with people, and the ability to adapt to change and to cope with adversity." The state of being mentally healthy is enviable given the advantages it affords” (Medicinenet.com). Since it is easy for someone to not be able to control how they are feeling, it can often result in different self destructive behaviors. “While everyone experiences sadness, anxiety, irritability, and moodiness at times, moods, thoughts, behaviors, or use of substances that interfere with a person's ability to function well physically, socially, at work, school, or home are characteristics of mental illness. Mental illness can have virtually any physical symptom associated with it, from insomnia, headaches, stomach upset to even paralysis. Socially, the person with a mental illness may avoid or have trouble making or keeping friends. Emotional problems can result in the person being unable to focus and therefore perform at work or school” (Medicinenet.com). When people don’t have the motivation to do their work in school or at home, they most likely just won’t do it. Now although some may not agree, emotional problems are a big deal and can lead to different self destructive behaviors and negative coping mechanisms. “Although someone in a white coat may seem scary or distant at first, getting to know the people who are caring for your family member can be useful. That way, when you have questions about what is likely to happen in the future or how you can help, you’ll have someone to ask.” (Nothing to Be Ashamed Of). The quote from this book shows that even if it is scary, getting help is one of the best things you can do in this situation, especially if self destructive behaviors are holding you captive in your own home.

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“One in 25 Americans lived with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression” (mentalhealth.gov). With so many people living with these different mental illnesses, it isn’t really surprising that some may try to feel the same way so they are understood. “20-25% of Americans have a diagnosable mental and/or substance use disorder in any given year” (mhaofnyc.org). When it comes to these many diagnosed mental illnesses, you may wonder about the undiagnosed. Although many go undiagnosed, there are also many that create these mental illnesses for their own, and that is just half the problem. When so many people want to fit in with the crowd, they will go to drastic measures to make sure everyone knows that they have a problem. They may even go as far as suicide. “Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States” (nami.org). When this number is so high, yet only 1/4th of Americans have a diagnosed mental illness, you can see that some may be trying to fit in. With so many different people having mental illnesses, others want to fit in with them. So there are many people walking around self diagnosing, and not really getting diagnosed for these mental illnesses. This is the true problem, and another thing that Bradbury may have very well predicted.

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Jayne Hardy talks about how depression is an unhealthy secret that is considered embarrassing enough to not be able to talk about it at all. Keeping it a secret makes it worse.

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Tedx talks what you don't see about depression jayne hardy tedxbrum - YouTubeVideos.io

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Jayne is founder and CEO of The Blurt Foundation, providing peer support for those with depression and their loved ones too. Her campaign #WhatYouDontSee swept social media earlier this year as part of Depression Awareness Week and is still fuelling on-going conversations, inviting people to share the realities of living with depression and challenge the stigma surrounding it.

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When it comes to mental health, no one focuses on the big picture. No one cares about the true cause of the problem, and can often label the problem something it is not.

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This image shows statistics that prove that mental illness can happen to lots of people, even those at a younger age.

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Even when people are struggling, things like a cuddly friend can help you get through it.

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People often label different mental illnesses as things they are not, as further explained in one of the upcoming paragraphs.

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People often don't understand and mislabel depression and different mental illnesses from what they really are.

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