People often say that ‘Seeing is Believing’ yet there exists a kind of indifference, an indirect denial of this well-known adage. No matter how sincere we try to appear before others while discussing issues as sensitive and important as mental health, hypocrisy is quite visible here, all the concern goes for a ride then. And we all are party to it. Now let us talk and understand briefly the new but not hidden malaise of depression, anxiety and negative self-talk, collectively known as ‘Mental Health Issue.’
For almost every subject or discipline in the world, we have books, journals and dedicated fields of study; humans have even ventured into the outer space for that matter. But when it comes to discussing their own mental well-being, their own lives why is it considered a taboo topic then?
On the face of it we try to show hollow concerns for each other to no avail, no wonder it is not making a big difference in people’s lives. The world is way too occupied with nationalism debates, sedition cases election results and trade wars, people hardly think or even dare to discuss such important an issue as mental health. Why? Owing to the taboo attached to it. Especially the South Asian society which is broadly dictated and influenced by baseless, illogical practices and misconceptions, making it even harder for the one suffering from it.
The general unhappiness among people towards life often makes them fall prey to Society’s sarcasm and they are labelled as misfits. Let alone sharing, talking or even attempting to explain them to accept this harsh reality can leave you even more alone, feeling dejected. Chances are you will soon find yourself labelled as outcasts or some other suitable word (according to Society’s definition).
We as a society, no matter how old or young one is, to accept that anxiety, depression and feeling low or negative self-talk are real issues of the day. Without acknowledging our own hypocrisy we just cannot treat or heal the ones suffering in silence. We need to identify the cause first in order to treat the person suffering because talking about mental health is an urgent need of the hour. This goes without saying parents, friends, relatives, colleagues, spouses, all of us need to realise this as a collective responsibility. We need to talk about it more, speak more, accept it, write more and share more about such stories of suffering and caring too.
Because no matter how tech-savvy we get with time, we will remain humans for the entirety of our lives. Let’s not forget a happy society is us and a happy us makes a happier society. Today it’s them, tomorrow it could be you!