Every human, irrespective of caste, class, colour, gender or even age, go through a low phase at certain point in their life. Over the course of one’s life, one experiences mental health problems, change in one’s thinking, mood, and behaviour which affect our nature in varied and complex ways. The unexpected consequences of these changes, is the development of a mental disorder, like depression, or suicidal thoughts. The phase could range from severe, to grievously fatal; for a short duration, or a prolonged one, depending on certain cases like those of celebrities’; which seem glamorous and beautiful from the outside but don’t show the whole picture.
Mental well-being is as crucial as physical well-being. In most cases this “state of the mind” is overlooked, uncared or not tended to. It is also not discussed in public, not considered even a medical illness. Much as it is about the mind that eventually controls the body, mental health can affect daily living, relationships, and overall social life.
The subject has become a huge concern in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Considering the urgency of the matter, HER-WORLD held a Talk Show with Shubhrata Prakash- Additional Commissioner of IT, and Author of the groundbreaking book, “The D Word: A Survivor’s Guide to Depression” and eminent Journalist Amit Bhatia, two prominent personalities who have not only gone through a phase, but have overcome their illness even with stronger mental and physical well-being.
Misconceptions and preconceived notions about mental illnesses abound in social circles. It is observed that perceptions of life have inevitably changed during the pandemic, and the period is a testing time of people’s mental strengths, that calls for support and positivity, to rise over the chaos and confusion. Meanwhile, in recent times, there is increased acknowledgment of the urgent need to talk about, and deeply engage with, one’s own mental health, though it still needs a huge work and heavy weightlifting.
Depression is a mental state and not simply an expression of sadness. There is a need to identify and know, what the triggers of depression are. This could be a singular incident, or an environment one is repeatedly exposed to. Then the need is to identify what stresses one out, distancing oneself from those triggers, and the most crucial- learning how to deal with the situation with the help from close ones and professionals.
Severe and fatal depression is a medical emergency requiring immediate help. Depression is also multidimensional. There is a rural-urban divide- intersection of biological makeup, psychological geography, and social environment triggering mental illnesses. There is still an illusion that mental illness isn’t real. Not enough knowledge about depression among the people, combined with false social discourse, creates myths and misconception around the illness.
Still, not all is black or grey. There are ways to finding the positives and being happy. The pursuit of happiness is constant for all, and mental health deserves same attention as our physical health – through self-care, mindfulness mediation and yoga etc. Balancing our work life to maintain a healthy mind- doing what makes us happy, is important.
Symptoms of mental illnesses (such as the inability to socialize) should be seen as disabilities. Gendered perspectives on depression- breaking the stereotypes of “girls are too emotional” and “boys don’t cry”, others relevant social power structures, biological, social, and psychological factors- should be tackled at their toxic core and dismantled by more progressive thinking strategies. Vulnerability of the people in the LGBTQ+ community to mental illnesses, is due to severe societal pressure and issues.
Elders, and senior citizens are vulnerable to loneliness and low feelings. In this time of coronavirus pandemic, they require help to deal with them. One way to be of help, is to be a good listener to these elderly people. Maintaining a constant communication, hearing them out and making them talk about their feelings, thoughts or even their daily lives will come a huge way to keep them high spirited and happy.
Moving to a larger context, media also plays big role in bringing about a healthier environment. Being a medical issue and subject, mental health requires more specialists on the subject of mental illnesses.
