#SuicidePreventionWeek: Let's speak up before it's too late
Imagine you're playing cricket and you hurt your leg, or you're down with cold and don't feel like getting out of bed. What would you do in such a situation? Call out for help, right? Now imagine getting up from bed one morning, feeling depressed and anxious. Would you call for help even then? Most probably, no. You'd just ignore it! Ask yourself why.
Here's a basic question: Why don't we speak up?
We live in a society where we share almost everything, from our food to our relationship status. Then what stops us to share the fact that our mind is not well? Is it not important? Why do we ignore our anxiety, sadness or mania? According to a recent WHO report released in March 2018, India is facing a serious mental health crisis. About time, we act on it.
Take a breath, and look at the alarming figures
An estimated 56 million Indians are suffering from depression, while 38 million suffer from anxiety disorders. Mental distress is the reason why one student commits suicide every hours. That's not all. Out of 800,000 people who commit suicide every year, 135,000 (17%) are Indians.
If Prince Williams can, so can you
After the tragic suicides of Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade, Prince Williams recently talked about his mental health issue. Addressing an event in Bristol to improve mental health in workplace, the 36-year-old focused mainly on starting a conversation on mental health. It can make all the difference, he said. Talking about "it" can not just help offloading "it", but also normalizes "it".
Speaking up about your mental health doesn't mean you're weak
We understand that there's a disgusting stigma around mental illness. Nobody will ask you to bathe, dress well and get over with your "broken leg", but yes, you'll hear this for your mental illness. But you should talk about it, nonetheless. It takes courage to ask for help. But unless, you don't, you'll suffer in this fatal silence till your mind gives up.
For others: Please know mental illness is not madness
According to a survey by The Live Love Laugh Foundation, out of 3,556 respondents, 47% were categorized as 'highly judgmental' of those with mental illness. These respondents, between 22 to 35 years of age, think they should keep a safe distance from the depressed people, as talking to them could affect their mental health. Let that sink in! For all you judgmental pricks, here's a thing: Common cold is infectious, mental illness not so much.
These Depression-phobics: Where do they make people like them?
If that didn't shock you, the same report suggests that 26% people were afraid of being mentally ill. These respondents were convinced that there's something "wrong or crazy" about people with mental illnesses and didn't even want to be associated with the community. Depression-phobic, much?
Instead, talk to those with mental illness
Today, more than ever, people are suffering from mental illnesses. Are you talking to the ones around you? Usually those depressed are perfect at masking their feelings. Check on that "smiling, strong" friend. Ask them how're they holding up. Don't ignore their behavior. Asking small questions like "How're you feeling mentally/spiritually/physically?" "Did you eat today?" "Do you want to talk?" can help save lives.
But, stop glamorizing mental illness
While one should speak about their mental illness, it shouldn't be glamorized. It's due to the glamor and mocking, that those suffering don't (can't?) speak up. Treat sadness as sadness, not depression, and mood swings as mood swings, not anxiety or bipolar disorder. In a country where there are just 5,000 psychiatrists for 1.3 billion, giving our problems wrong labels would only complicate it.
In conclusion, Mental illness is not the end of life
Just like your broken leg or a bad flu, your mind can heal itself too. Your mental health does improve. With the right medication and therapy, hundreds of people with mental illness start managing it, and live happy lives. So, let's talk about it. Let's ask for help. Let's help each other. In this suicide prevention week, let's kill mental illness with kindness!
