Abstract: Modern mental distress stems from thesplit of self-consciousness and its opposition to the consciousness of the Other.The externalized self-consciousness,in the form of materialized and rationalized ones,separates it from human beings.Social system is the product of self-consciousness seeking external identity.However,as an external material force,it dominates the spiritual life of modern people and the relationship between human beings.The lopsided social development has boosted modern illnesses such as crisis of belief,crisis of faith,emotional indifference,and nihilism,causing entire alienation of human spirit life.To develop the self-consciousness from the internal spiritual world,it is necessary to abandon the materialized and confronted thinking mode,so that a harmonious relationship could be achieved between material and spirit,and self-consciousness and the consciousness of the Other while realizing the unification of internal and external identities.

Key words: spiritual distress, self-consciousness, social system, alienation