I
don't think "Mental Health" is a topic that gets as much
consideration as it should, given the increasing need of education about it.
Especially right now, with the lockdown still going on, I feel that the
increasing need is at its peak. So as a life coach, I decided to pen down a few
thoughts on one of the most severe and recurring mental illnesses, depression,
and I would like you to read this in hope that it can help you out even if it's
only a little amount of help.
For people who
know people battling depression:
It's
not as easy for people battling depression to face even very normal situations
as it is for people without them. Sometimes not even a small change in the
norm, but even them being left alone with their thoughts for a while can
trigger them and lead them to take unpredictable steps. You can never be really
sure about what's going on in another person's head. But there are a few things
that you can do to assure that the people around you, the people you care about
aren't alone in their time of need. The following are two very important ones
out of the lot:
#DobaraPoocho
(Ask again) - I'm sure most of us have a habit of locking the door and
double-checking right after. In a similar manner, what we can do is check up on
our close ones once in a while and even if there is a small hint of doubt
behind their usual "I'm fine", make sure you ask again. People with
depression find it difficult to open up to other people so you really have to
make sure whether they're perfectly alright and not just make do with their
half-hearted "I'm fine"s.
Also,
#DobaraPoocho is the title of a new campaign launched by Deepika Padukone which
urges people to, as the name suggests, ask again, as we discussed.
Just
listen - Keep your advices to yourself, because sometimes, an ear is all they
need. Because sometimes, all they want is to be able to speak their heart out
to someone without any interruptions or advices being thrown their way. Being
questioned repeatedly about the issues they're trying to discuss with you can
trigger them even though your genuine intent was to help them out.
We
as a society need to make people feel that their problems matter, need to give
them the confidence to speak up about what’s been troubling them because then
and only then can depression can be defeated.
For people
battling depression:
I
know life's tough for you and sometimes the dark side of your mind persuades
you and tries to convince you to take steps you don't really want to take, but
here's what I think. This tunnel of darkness and pain you're in right now, no
matter however much you think of it to be never ending, you never really know
what change one small turn can bring to completely turn your life upside down
and fill the tunnel with light and joy.
Getting
better is a journey, not a destination. You need to keep dragging through, one
day at a time. You need to be kind to yourself like you would be to someone you
deeply cared about. But most importantly, you need to figure out when you need
help. Trying to go through it by yourself might work four out of five times,
but when the fifth time comes and it’s too much for you to do it alone,
remember that you don’t have to. Reach out to people you’re comfortable with,
people who care about you. Always keep in mind: YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
And
finally, never lose hope for that life-changing turn to come.
Love
and light,
Rubleen
Kaur
PS
- This blog post might not have been like my other ones, but was definitely of
more importance.
Comments
Post a Comment