1. Introduction

This chapter introduces the basic structure of the book. Opening with the question, “Is Society Sick?”, Smith offers a broad empirical look at prevailing mental health crises throughout the world. Following this survey, the chapter contextualizes this overwhelming data by looking at scientific, empirical and philosophical studies, and drawing connections among mental health, physical health and social environment. We know systemic air pollution affects the body, but what about the mind? Conversely, we know the strain of consistently long workweeks affects one’s mental well-being, but what about one’s physical health? Can societal ills like inequality really affect individuals’ psychophysiology? This chapter begins to piece together a bigger, interrelated societal collage, from skyrocketing rates of depression to prevailing physical issues, leaving the reader to reflect on the object of the deeply pathological status of our modern social world.