I am a combat veteran with extensive experience with both inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment organizations. When I entered college at the age of 52, I was surprised to discover the similarities between academic critical thinking, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT was extremely helpful to me in my journey back from injury, and as an aid to interpret combat. CBT and a Liberal Education are valuable tools for navigating life’s challenges and for enriching one’s life.
I recently graduated and, in my experience, liberal education, a broad, interdisciplinary learning experience can play a significant role in mental health by fostering critical thinking, emotional resilience, and a rich inner life. This approach can be compared to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and deeper thinking, both of which are recognized for their mental health benefits, because liberal education is designed to cultivate a philosophical habit of mind, encouraging students to engage deeply with diverse subjects, from literature to philosophy. This form of education promotes a potent inner life, which can be a source of strength and resilience in challenging circumstances. This suggests that liberal education can contribute to mental well-being by nurturing an inner strength that supports human flourishing, even, or perhaps, especially in tough times.
As a psychiatric patient I was exposed to CBT, and its practical strategies for coping with life’s challenges. I felt the same effect in a class here at Yale on Melville. In April of 2024, a colleague who had helped me previously in the PTSD arena, committed suicide. It was a crushing life event and one with no answers. As I conflated Melville’s soliloquy by Ahab, in chapter 119 (The Candles) with my recently alive friend, I came to an understanding, a peace.
Ahab had his history like me and my late friend, a history full of battles and loss. Perhaps one could compare Ahab’s monomaniacal obsession for the White Whale with man’s need for purpose? I found Ahab’s stance on defiance very attractive. He was true to himself despite the dangers.
This is an unknown, or at least unmentioned positive of a liberal education. Through Ahab, I saw my own humanity as well as that of my recently deceased friend. Ahab reminded me of my predicament as a human; constantly striving for perfection with the full knowledge that I will never reach it. Humans make errors. Humans find themselves in all kinds of troubling situations; a liberal education provides internal ammunition for fighting the battles life brings our way. As I wrote my class paper on Moby Dick, my tears flowed. I felt like I was writing my buddy, who had lived through so much, but decided to stop. I saw myself in him and in Ahab. My Melville professor asked us to turn in printed papers; I wonder if he saw the tear stains on mine.
Liberal education’s approach to focused critical thinking, and CBT, each offer benefits for mental health, but they share the common goals of enhancing cognitive and emotional well-being; what I call “being a better human.” Liberal education’s emphasis on cultivating a rich inner life complements the structured approach of CBT and the analytical focus of critical thinking. Together, these modalities can provide a comprehensive framework for an inherent mental health treatment which promotes survivability, especially when times are tough, like now. Education is a serious gift if approached earnestly, with humility and genuine curiosity.
