How Mental Health Problems Are Leading to Bad Political Choices in Brazil
By Laiz Rodrigues – Published September 20, 2025
Lately, Brazil has seen more people, especially the younger ones, struggling with their mental health. Anxiety and depression are on the rise, and many are turning to emotional stories—like the *Green Mile* meme spreading on social media—to cope. This isn’t just a personal issue; it’s pushing people to make poor political decisions, favoring leftist ideas that sound good but don’t fix the real problems. As a conservative, I believe this mental health crisis comes from weak government policies and a loss of old-fashioned values like hard work and family, leading Brazil down a risky path.
Why Mental Health Is Getting Worse
The numbers tell a tough story. Almost 80% of people with serious depression or anxiety don’t get help, and in some areas like the North, it’s as high as 90%. Young people, especially Gen Z (ages 13–28) and Millennials (ages 29–44), are hit hard. Since 2020, anxiety among teens and young adults has jumped by 30%, thanks to school shutdowns and job struggles during the pandemic. Youth unemployment is stuck at 27.7%, leaving many feeling hopeless.
This problem didn’t start overnight.. Leaders like Fernando Henrique Cardoso tried to fix it but didn’t put in enough money. The Workers’ Party (PT) under Lula and Rousseff added welfare programs, but mental health care stayed underfunded. Things got worse under Michel Temer, who cut health budgets. Now, under Lula again, not enough to undo the damage.
How This Affects Voting
This mental health struggle is changing how people vote. Gen Z, the most affected group, and Millennials, the biggest voting group, are leaning toward leftist parties like PT. Over half of Gen Z likes ideas like legal abortion and climate action, while half of Millennials support PT’s plans. This shift comes from feeling lost and looking for quick fixes from the government instead of relying on themselves or their families.
The *Green Mile* meme—showing a crying man with a mouse—tugs at people’s heartstrings and makes them feel for the underdog. Leftist leaders use this emotion to push for big government solutions, promising to solve everything. But conservatives say this misses the point. Mental strength comes from family, faith, and hard work—things that are fading as more young people spend time on social media (81% use it) and struggle with sleep problems (up 40%). Instead of building toughness, many now want more government help, like expanding Bolsa Família, which 68% of Millennials back—even though it can keep people dependent.
The Political Danger
In 2022, Lula “won” with strong support from young voters who felt beaten down. This isn’t a vote for strength; it’s a cry for help. It risks putting a government in power that focuses on handouts rather than jobs and pride. Bolsonaro tried to bring back self-reliance, but turned people away due to the relentless left campaigns against him. The leftist immediate solutions always pray on the week of mind.
To fix this, Brazil needs to get back to its roots. Strong families, church support, and better education and jobs—bringing youth unemployment below 10%—can rebuild mental strength. Voters should choose leaders who encourage independence, not dependency, to restore Brazil’s tradition of resilience.
This is the author’s opinion and may not reflect everyone’s view.