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DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL OR A MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST. THIS BLOG POST HAS BEEN WRITTEN ON THE BASIS OF MY EXPERIENCE WITH ANXIETY AND MENTAL HEALTH. IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING, PLEASE ASK FOR HELP. SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP IF NEEDED.
I was listening to this podcast last week, where a young actress spoke about her fight with depression and the stigma around it, and I just sat there deep in thought for a long time, stunned with what I had been made to realize.
The society we live in has a negative outlook towards mental illnesses. There are negative stereotypes about people with a mental health problem when in reality mental illnesses are one of the most common health problems in the world.
I reckon it is because people do not understand mental illnesses or mental health in general. I reckon it is because a mental illness is considered different from just a body part not working correctly. It is because people are not aware. They think that something is wrong with people with mental illnesses. It is not. Just like other illnesses, this is a body part not functioning in the best way. Except in this case, it happens to be the brain.
This ‘stigma’ has caused a huge impact on people with mental illnesses. They feel ashamed if they have an illness. They think it’s their fault that they are this way when in reality it has nothing to do with that.
Because of this stigma, the society has been deprived of proper education about mental health. People are not aware of the signs and symptoms that they or their close ones may be experiencing. It is just labelled as sadness and then the person, without knowing what they might be going through, continues to suffer.
SO WHAT CAN YOU DO IF SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS STRUGGLING?
Educate yourself. Know the signs and symptoms.
If you think someone is struggling, talk to them but don’t force them to tell everything.
Use phrases like “I am here for you” and “I can understand why you are feeling like this”
Do not invalidate anyone’s feelings. They’re genuine.
Never judge them. It’s not their fault.
Ask how they are doing.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING.
If you are struggling, please talk to someone.
Don’t be ashamed in asking for help.
Seek professional help if needed.
Your mental health always comes first.
Your feelings are genuine.
It’s not your fault.
There is nothing wrong with you.
The stigma won’t go away unless the society is aware. And that won’t happen unless we take steps to educate people and start taking care of each other. So one thing you can do that won’t take up much of your time, is stay in touch with your loved ones. Don’t ask someone how they are already sure of the answer being ‘amazing’. Ask them how they are, really. Be willing to listen and give them a supporting hand if they need it.
You never know what anyone may be going through. Everyone’s fighting their own battles. One thing that can make things simpler and in some way better for all of us is kindness. The ordinary acts of kindness are what this world needs more of.
So in the end, here I am asking you,
HOW ARE YOU, REALLY?