He says…

“You are crazy, you should see a shrink.”

A society where the stigma around mental health is so strong that it triggers such a reaction is not surprising that someone suffering from mental illness faces both internal and external pressures.

Having mental discomfort has, unfortunately, been consistently linked with violence and danger which disregards the real issue, that this situation is more harmful to the person suffering than any bystander.

Those suffering from mental illnesses often face discrimination at their workplace, their family settings, school and other places they frequent. However, it’s not the judgement but support and normalcy that they need.

Fortunately, in recent times, there has been increased dialogue and acceptance with more and more people understanding the importance of acknowledging that mental health is a real concept just like physical health is. Moreover, many influencers today are becoming more and more vocal about this and are reaching out to their fans. For example, Selena Gomez addressed her mental health at the AMAs. She said: “If you are broken, you don’t have to stay broken.” Demi Lovato started a campaign to boost awareness.

One in four people have at some point felt that they were in such a space and these stigmata prevent around 40 per cent of people with anxiety and depression from seeking help. One in 10 children and adolescents suffer with mental health difficulties and yet, less than one third seek treatment. Every symptom is not amplified, each sign is not readable and assumptions are not okay to make. There is no framework to define who is facing what in life. Anyone and everyone can feel mentally unhealthy at a given point, or even through a prolonged period, irrespective of age, gender, occupation or any other component that defines identity. It could be a person working in a high pressure office environment, a young child or you or me.

Research proves that medication and attention is important for the treatment of many psychiatric disorders. And, I hope that dialogue increases and it becomes normal to acknowledge when one is suffering from something mentally. And, I hope that when one does, they don’t postpone getting help.

It’s important, it’s something to talk about, and it’s something to normalize.