As soon as I opened social media, I was disheartened to see the news of Sushant Singh Rajput committing suicide (that is what has been stated). I saw many posts sharing condolences and, yet, others creating awareness about mental health. But what struck me were the posts questioning others who are speaking on mental health and blaming them for it, which points to the utter ignorance and the mentality of “know it all” which is dangerous for us as a society.
What is the point of questioning others on speaking up for the right things? If someone is speaking up for someone that doesn’t concern them, does it matter less? Before anything, we are fellow humans. What is the point of questioning someone speaking up in India for “Black Lives Matter”? Some people say “you are not black, this doesn’t concern you” or “why aren’t you speaking up for Dalits”. Speaking up for Dalits doesn’t make the struggle of the people of colour less important. And someone speaking up against any one form of injustice is more likely to speak against another than someone who doesn’t speak at all.
Similarly, I see all these posts questioning people who are now speaking for mental health. “Why didn’t you do it earlier” and “just because he is a star, you are doing it now”. So what if he was a filmstar? Is being privileged a crime? The point is that successful people can be depressed too. And just because someone is talking about mental health taking this example does not necessarily mean that the person does not care about it in their life. What matters is they are speaking up now. All the people that are writing obviously got affected in some way. It is a way to create awareness and it’s better than blaming and creating negativity.
Those who are blaming also point to their ignorance of thinking that they know it all. But can we say with confidence that all people we know are okay? We all are humans and we all are not able to understand often. But what matters is that we don’t blame others, and least of all those who are trying. There may be some people who are writing it to seem good and not meaning it, but they are still giving a positive message than those who are blaming others. We don’t need negative content in these difficult times.
Some important pointers that may help:
- Be kind and sensitive. Even if you are one of those who feel you have heard these words too many times, know that they are needed, and we all can see why. These absurd blame games prove the point. If you can’t make anyone feel better, please do not make them feel worse. And don’t judge.
- Success is not equal to happiness. Also, don’t punish people for being privileged. That only shows egocentrism.
- Try to make sure people around you are okay. Keep a check on them.
- Talk about mental health. If you think you know about it, still hear people out. There are so many experiences that we can always learn. No one knows it all.
- Mental health illness can happen to anyone and does not mean a person is weak.
- Asking for help does not mean you are not strong. Be accessible so that people can help.
- Being sensitive means being sensitive to other people’s sufferings and not only your own (most important point).
- Stop telling people “you are too sensitive”. Maybe you can be sensitive enough to understand them. Be someone’s support system.
Be the solution in a world of problems. Be an encouraging person in a world of blame games. People will judge you nevertheless, but keep going. All good efforts matter and they can change lives.