Let’s Talk About Mental Health

Deepika Padukone started new year with pledging to raise awareness about mental awareness. She revealed that she was struggling with anxiety and depression. Deepika is definitely the most successful actress in recent times. 2014 has been the best year of her career –  box office collection more than any Khans. She even bagged Filmfare award for best actress. In short she is at her best career wise. The most common reaction is, ‘How can she be depressed? She has everything going for her”. Fact is – It’s not about what you have or don’t have. Depression has nothing  to do with how successful you are. We all go through it to some degree, sooner or later. 

Source:http://www.hindustantimes.com/

In our society, there is shame and stigma attached to talking about depression. Her story deeply resonates with other people suffering from depression and other mental illness. The city life, loneliness, loosening social bonding, competition, insecurity – we all have to face in our rapidly changing urban India. Exam tension, relationship stress, breakups are also leading cause esp for youth to fall in grip of depression. In our society it’s a taboo to talk about mental illness, just going to psychiatrist and people start using derogatory words  ”pagal” “insane” “khisak gaya hai” etc. 

Being sad and being depressed are two different things. People going through depression don’t look so, while someone sad will look sad. When we are sick, we seek help from doctor. When we are hurt, we get bandage done but when we are depressed… we tend to hide!!

Source: www.doublexscience.org

India has highest number of suicides in the world. Indian youths between the 15 and 29 years old kill themselves at a rate of 35.5 deaths per 100,000-the highest in the world. It is also an established fact that Depression is more common in women than men. So instead of hiding it one should actually come forward and seek professional help. However now, in most of the cases, most of the cases it goes unreported and people go through the pain for years.
People talk about physical fitness, but mental health is equally important.
Last October our govt has announced an ambitious new policy to provide mental health services. The policy, our first on mental Mental health, is admirable for its focus on the needs of the country’s poor, on lifting widespread stigma around mental health disorders and on preventing suicide. The bill is yet to be passed by parliament. 

With the changing time, we must be aware and also spread awareness about it. We can take example from Deepika Padukone about speaking of her mental illness, sharing her personal experience and how she overcame it. By doing so, she not only created a much awaited buzz about the mental illnesses but has also started debate on one of the most important problem urban youths are facing today.

Its high time now when we should actually come forward and should talk about our mental illness. It is now time to rise above the stigma look after our being healthy ‘mentally and physically’ and be the most productive we can.