Humans are social beings. We were born to connect to each other and to the world. It is in our nature and very difficult to abandon. Instinctively, we long to be associated to people; friends, parents, siblings, partners, anyone who makes life worthwhile. To live comfortably it is, thus, important to connect. Being socially active acts as a boost in associating to something bigger than us. So, why is it that we prune certain sensitive sections of our society? Who are these people? Do we know them?
Everyone accepts that emotional well-being must be tended to in a proper manner. Mental health is as important as physical fitness. We all understand this. But how many of us feel that talking about ourselves to anyone, but the therapist, is uncomfortable? People throw in their two cents and talk at length about a healthy, properly functioning, active mind but when it comes to counselling someone who really does have a problem, there aren’t any hands at deck. The moment you share your loneliness and insecurities, you come out inadvertently as desperate.
Given that everyone knows about and/or experienced this sometime in their lives, many genuine emotionally distraught people are pushed to the brink of suicide or self-mutilation. They fear talking to their friends or family lest judged. Some dwell on the idea that being alone eats away their true self. So they continue to live with their abusive partners, just because they fear being solely on their own. They feel there is no help outside. This is a grim concept to believe in, however unfortunately true in most societies. For the risk of losing someone to talk to, likely abusive, they risk losing their life.
That’s why it is important to talk about mental health. You can talk to a best friend, sibling or parent, even your life partner if you can. If all else fails, there are always therapists. People you can trust to never belittle or judge you; who are there for you till you’re comfortable enough to get through life on your own.
What we see nowadays is thoughtless pointing of fingers, abusive name-calling and shunning people diagnosed with mental health issues. This stigmatization has entered families too. Instead of understanding what ails the person, people make fun and criticize their pain. That makes the situation worse. For the ailing person, this redundant behaviour showcases contemptuous attitude of people and he/she can plunge further into a depressed state. There is no coming back for them. Everyone wants to feel needed, to be understood, without any insult or neglect, but the place where the depressed are after all this is somewhere nobody can pull them out from. The more their trust is broken, the more they prefer to live in an alternate reality, forgetting everything in the process. Then they won’t mind you or your abuse or your inconsiderate accusations.
What this society needs are individuals who remain firm in their demeanour when trying to converse with such sensitive people. What we need is a collective understanding of the trauma inflicted without us even realizing it.
Societies make up this world. We cannot ever live alone. We could survive but never live, in the real meaning of the word. So, the more fortunate should take it upon themselves to create a secure bubble where all can live peacefully. For they have been given a gift, a gift to create peace and comfort. They have to be the torch bearers of a world where nobody is discriminated based on their mental state. A world where everyone can live in harmony, without any fear of being different. Where every colour shines, every talent is appreciated, each community thrives. A priceless reality that we all should strive to achieve in and around us.
People throw in their two cents and talk at length about a healthy, properly functioning, active mind but when it comes to counselling someone who really does have a problem, there aren’t any hands at deck.
