I have been asking a number of people the same question recently. The first question is: 'In spite of the challenges we face, would you agree that this is the best time ever to be alive? The most prosperous and filled with the greatest number of possibilities and the most potential?'

Thus far everyone has answered in the affirmative.

Then I ask: 'Since we both agree on this, why is 17% of the population or 65 million people (mostly women) on antidepressants?'

The responses I consider closest to the truth all deal with people's lack of meaning and purpose in their lives.

Sadly, instead of attempting to help the depressed to find such meaning and purpose, we are simply medicating them.

At best this is a band-aid for an emotional cancer and at worst it is a sure fire prescription for aggravating the problem. It most certainly is no solution. I'm sure the pharmaceutical industry is pleased with the situation.