Incels. The newest hot button topic, and latest dragon to be slayed by our social justice warriors. So what is to be said and done about incels? Those who frequently become embroiled in misogynistic hate. Those who live in often problematic online groups with words of “Chads” and “Stacies”, and ideas of hypergamy. Personally, I don’t know. But I do know, if we are to address the problem, we must ensure we’re starting from the right place. Sadly, low-effort social media advocacy has already done its usual bit. Stirring poorly made assumptions into the pot, with broad stroke generalisations that simply do not fit the reality of the problem. First off - incels are actually a diverse group in terms of sexual orientation, political affiliation, ethnic background and religion. No, they are not all right wing white men. In fact a new study shows incels are more often left wing, and are disproportionally men of colour. Most are non-violent, most are vulnerable and often traumatised, most are severely mentally unwell and yes, in need of help. And whilst newspapers splash words like ‘terrorist group’ on headlines, this is not what the experts are saying either. These surprising and perhaps uncomfortable realisations show how we’ve already started off on the wrong foot, and are wholly unprepared to address the issue at hand. Too soon we have reached for condemnation before understanding, too soon we have dehumanised what we don’t understand, and are scared of. So here’s a question – for all our armies of virtuous mental health advocates, with all their care and compassion, why are so many refusing to go near what is clearly a crisis of mental health, albeit an extreme one? For mental health support is not just for those who want it, or even deserve it, but those who *need* it most. ~
Images by Rhett Noonan, Mitchel Lensink, Fabrice Villard, Emile Seguin from Unsplash. Texas Liberal Arts Study EU, Radicalisation Awareness Network Craig Harper PhD Toronto Verdict Portsmouth Commentary #mentalhealth

2022-12-12