Examining the Present World and Its Impact on Mental Health Through the Lens of CONAF

The Circle of Needs and Fulfillment (CONAF) system offers a profound framework to understand the mental health crisis humanity faces today. By examining the specific components of CONAF, we can assess how the modern world impacts people’s emotional well-being and sense of self.

Each of these core needs plays a significant role in shaping human experience, and their fulfillment—or deprivation—directly correlates with the mental health outcomes we see today.

This article will break down the current state of the world by analyzing how each component of CONAF is impacted, and how this affects people’s emotions and sense of self.

1. Safety/Security: The Foundation of Stability in a World of Conflict and Economic Strife

At the core of human existence is the need for safety and security, which includes access to food, water, shelter, sleep, rest, and a sense of protection. In the present world, this foundational need is threatened not only by physical deprivation of these resources but also by larger systems of conflict, war, and cutthroat economic models that jeopardize individuals’ livelihoods, creating a pervasive sense of instability.

Impact on Mental Health

• Food and Water Insecurity: In many parts of the world, food and water scarcity are pressing issues. Economic inequalities, mismanagement, and climate change have led to widespread hunger and water shortages. This chronic stress over basic survival leads to anxiety, feelings of helplessness, and a deep sense of insecurity.

• Housing Instability: The global housing crisis, driven by inflated real estate prices and the commodification of housing, leaves many people without stable shelter. Homelessness and housing insecurity are on the rise, creating environments of constant fear and uncertainty. The threat of losing one’s home or being unable to afford basic shelter fosters anxiety and chronic stress, deeply impacting mental well-being.

• Economic Instability: The cutthroat economic model that dominates much of the modern world forces individuals to compete for limited resources, such as jobs, housing, and education. Many people experience job insecurity, underemployment, or precarious working conditions, making it difficult to achieve financial stability. This persistent sense of vulnerability leaves people anxious about their future and unsure of their ability to support their families.

• Conflict and War: In regions affected by war and political conflict, safety becomes a distant dream. Millions of people are displaced due to violence and persecution, becoming refugees facing extreme uncertainty. Those living in conflict zones endure daily threats of violence, death, or displacement, eroding any sense of personal safety. The presence of fear and trauma can lead to PTSD, depression, and severe anxiety.

• Cutthroat Competition and Social Insecurity: The relentless economic competition in global economies leaves individuals vulnerable. The pressure to succeed in competitive industries, coupled with the risk of job loss or financial failure, leads to emotional exhaustion and anxiety. People feel the constant need to prove their worth in an unforgiving system, where failure can result in economic ruin or loss of social status.

• Family Stress and Generational Trauma: Family stress, combined with poorly managed mental health, can perpetuate cycles of generational trauma, with parents and caregivers passing their trauma onto their children. This results in a deeply rooted emotional crisis, affecting mental health for generations.

Without the assurance of basic safety and protection—both physically and economically—people are left feeling deeply insecure. This chronic state of anxiety not only impacts mental health but also undermines the emotional resilience needed to cope with the complexities of modern life. The combination of conflict, economic pressure, and unstable livelihoods creates a world where individuals are constantly on edge, leading to widespread stress, fear, and mental health deterioration.

2. Affirmation: The Need for Connection and Belonging

Humans thrive on affirmation—the need for connection, belonging, and a sense of worth. Affirmation includes receiving attention and feeling valued within social groups, whether that be family, friends, or a larger community.

Impact on Mental Health

• Social Isolation: In the modern world, many people feel disconnected from meaningful relationships. The rise of technology, particularly social media, creates an illusion of connection but often leaves individuals feeling more isolated. Superficial online interactions replace deeper connections, leading to loneliness and emotional deprivation.

• Sense of Worth and Belonging: Economic systems that emphasize productivity and competition erode the natural human need for belonging. Many people feel like cogs in a machine, contributing to feelings of alienation and a lack of self-worth. Marginalized groups—due to race, gender, or class—experience these feelings more acutely, exacerbating emotional and social distress.

• Attention Deficit: In a fast-paced society, attention becomes a rare commodity. People feel neglected in both personal relationships and within larger communities. This lack of recognition leads to feelings of insignificance and contributes to depression.

• External Validation: Many seek superficial means of validation, looking to others—who are also struggling with their own emotional challenges—for affirmation of self-worth. This external validation often leads to emotional volatility when the feedback is insufficient or negative, compounding feelings of inadequacy.

The failure to fulfill this need for affirmation leads to a deep sense of loneliness, unworthiness, and emotional distress. This void contributes to the mental health crisis we see today, particularly manifesting as depression and social anxiety.

3. Competence: Mastery and Success in Life’s Challenges

Humans have a natural desire to feel competent in their abilities and to achieve mastery in different areas of life. This sense of competence fosters self-confidence, resilience, and emotional stability.

Impact on Mental Health

• Lack of Opportunities: Many people feel deprived of opportunities to develop skills or succeed in their chosen fields. Unemployment, underemployment, and lack of access to education leave individuals feeling inadequate and incapable of meeting life’s challenges.

• Workplace Stress: Even those with jobs often feel overworked, underappreciated, and disconnected from their professional growth. Modern workplaces emphasize productivity over individual development, leading to burnout and feelings of incompetence.

• Erosion of Self-Esteem: In a highly competitive world, individuals internalize failure or lack of success as personal shortcomings. When society doesn’t provide adequate support for personal growth, people struggle with low self-esteem and emotional distress.

The deprivation of the need for competence leads to feelings of inadequacy, frustration, and despair. People who feel incapable of growth or success in life’s challenges are more prone to anxiety, depression, and a sense of purposelessness.

4. Superiority: The Competitive Drive for Pride and Recognition

Humans possess an inherent drive to feel superior in specific areas, particularly in competitive environments. This need for recognition is closely tied to ego and the desire to feel proud of one’s accomplishments.

Impact on Mental Health

• Unhealthy Comparisons: Modern society, with its emphasis on social media and consumerism, exacerbates the tendency for comparison. People constantly measure themselves against others, leading to feelings of inadequacy and envy. Those who fail to achieve status or success often struggle with deep feelings of inferiority.

• Materialism and Status Anxiety: The pursuit of wealth, status, and material possessions has become the dominant measure of superiority. This constant chase for material success leads to anxiety and emotional emptiness, as material gains fail to provide lasting satisfaction.

• Ego Fragility: In competitive environments, people who base their self-worth on external validation often experience ego fragility. When they fail to maintain their position of superiority, they fall into depression, anxiety, or self-doubt.

The pressure to compete and measure success by external standards creates a fragile emotional state, where self-worth becomes conditional on achievements and recognition. This leads to pervasive anxiety, low self-esteem, and emotional volatility.

5. Stimulation: The Need for Excitement and Novelty

Humans crave stimulation, both mentally and emotionally. The need for excitement and novelty drives curiosity, innovation, and growth. However, in the absence of healthy stimulation, people may turn to maladaptive behaviors or distractions.

Impact on Mental Health

• Addiction to Technology and Media: The need for stimulation is often met through technology—social media, streaming platforms, and video games. While these sources provide temporary excitement, they often become addictive and lead to mental fatigue, emotional numbness, and disconnection from deeper experiences.

• Escapism and Addiction: Many people seek stimulation through substances, including drugs and alcohol, as a way to escape from emotional pain or boredom. This can lead to addiction, exacerbating mental health issues and preventing individuals from addressing the root causes of their suffering.

• Distraction from Pain: The overstimulation provided by consumer-driven entertainment and media often serves as a distraction from deeper emotional pain. While it provides short-term relief, it prevents individuals from addressing their emotional wounds, leading to a cycle of avoidance and emotional stagnation.

The overreliance on external stimulation and avoidance of deeper emotional work creates a society where escapism replaces emotional growth, leading to widespread disconnection, anxiety, and depression.

6. Meaning and Purpose: The Search for a Fulfilling Life

Perhaps the most profound need in CONAF is the need for meaning and purpose. Humans require a sense of direction and alignment with their inner values to feel fulfilled and grounded in life.

Impact on Mental Health

• Existential Crisis: Many people in the modern world struggle to find purpose beyond material success and societal expectations. This lack of meaning leads to existential anxiety, where individuals question the value of their lives and experience deep emotional distress.

• Spiritual Disconnection: The absence of spiritual fulfillment in a consumer-driven society leaves many feeling disconnected from their deeper selves. Without a sense of purpose, people struggle to navigate life’s challenges and find joy in everyday experiences.

• Work-Life Misalignment: Many individuals work jobs that feel misaligned with their core values or passions, leading to feelings of emptiness and dissatisfaction. When people cannot find purpose in their daily lives, they experience increased levels of depression and burnout.

• Superficial Purpose: Many people chase external rewards, such as wealth, fame, or recognition, without realizing that these pursuits often worsen the sense of purposelessness and contribute to a declining culture of superficiality.

The absence of meaning and purpose is perhaps the most devastating aspect of modern life, leading to a deep sense of hopelessness and a growing mental health crisis where individuals feel lost and purposeless.

7. Sex Drive and Libido: Misuse and Emotional Consequences

Sexuality is a fundamental part of human life, tied to emotional intimacy, self-expression, and physical pleasure. However, in the modern world, the misuse and commodification of sex often lead to emotional harm and distorted self-worth.

Impact on Mental Health

• Objectification and Exploitation: The commodification of sex, especially through advertising, pornography, and media, distorts the emotional significance of sexual relationships. This can lead to feelings of shame, objectification, and disconnection from genuine intimacy.

• Sexual Addiction: Many individuals turn to sexual behavior or pornography as a means of coping with emotional distress, leading to addiction. Sexual addiction results in emotional numbness, relationship difficulties, and feelings of shame and guilt.

• Lack of Emotional Intimacy: In a world where sex is often reduced to a physical transaction, people struggle to form emotionally intimate connections. This can lead to feelings of emptiness, emotional isolation, and dissatisfaction in relationships.

• Abuse of Power: People in positions of power often commit sexual transgressions and cover them up, leaving countless victims without a voice to deal with their trauma and pain.

The misuse of sexual drive as a coping mechanism for deeper emotional wounds prevents individuals from forming healthy, fulfilling relationships, contributing to a broader emotional crisis.

Conclusion: The Present World’s Impact on CONAF and Mental Health

The modern world, driven by Lower Consciousness (LC) principles, consistently deprives individuals of many core needs outlined in CONAF. The resulting mental health crisis is a reflection of these unmet needs, as people struggle with isolation, disconnection, insecurity, and a lack of meaning in their lives. By addressing these foundational needs and shifting toward a more Higher Consciousness (HC)-oriented society, humanity can begin to heal the mental and emotional wounds that have been exacerbated by the pressures of modern life.