“If we start being honest about our pain, our anger, and our shortcomings instead of pretending they don’t exist, then maybe we’ll leave the world a better place than we found it.” – Russell Wilson

When we start the topic of mental health issues, it seems we are always discussing about a bigger problem about mental disorder, depression, bipolar disorders, psychotic disorders, even personality disorders or even schizophrenia ! But mental health is much more layered and complex that we might understand. Even the day- to day stress can lead to mental issues which we easily overlook. Reason? The societal pressure ! Ours is a society where it is a success symbol to always to pretend to be okay! People either take advantage of your tough times or much common trend is to pull a prank or make fun of the concerned person.

Mental health is gender neutral but our society becomes extra judgmental when it comes to Men being expressing emotions that might make them look vulnerable or weaker as compared to their counterparts. So the easiest way they adopt is to pretend that they can withstand any hardship which sometimes becomes the cause of stress that accumulates over the years and sometimes results in extreme anger issues or violent outbursts.

Women have it equally tough, be it house -wives who in spite of working day and night are mostly looked down upon as they do not generate income in terms of monetary value! Yes they do not earn money , they earn much more than money can even buy. They are the glue that holds the family together and their sacrifice can never be converted into monetary value! Single women ( unmarried, separated, widowed, divorced etc.) also go through immense tension because they don’t fit into the so called “accepted norm “of the society!

Children in our country have no time to enjoy their own childhood! Over ambitious parents want the best for their children. From enrolling their kids in coding classes to swimming classes to tennis sessions etc, the pressure to bring high scores keep mounting with each passing year! In spite of understanding their own expertise, they choose a subject that can guarantee a high paying job, only to realize later in life that this is what they had never wanted to do adding to anxiety, frustration and loss of happiness.

old age parents who have to live alone due to various reasons are the most vulnerable group among all. The loneliness, the excess time in hand with no agenda of any productive work makes them dull, sad and prone to more ailments and diseases.

The youth today, who are thought or projected as the most happiest lot have their own complex issues. Modern day relationships have altered the very perception of life and the youth today goes through this complexity of emotional upheaval regularly. The millennials today have the virtual presence like never before and their virtual image is everything for them, thanks to technological revolution which has brought together strangers and have made family members talk less among themselves ! The Sushant Singh Rajput Case can be taken into account here. A successful youth icon loses his life ( whether it was self -harm or someone caused it is not important here) and only then we understand that even when one reaches the height of success, life can seem empty. The goal that you chase today, might seem meaningless tomorrow and it is absolutely normal. But the problem arises when we deny to accept our pain or keep it within!

The bottom of the pyramid is always the toughest layer and the stress level of just being able to survive each day can only be experienced but can never be explained with words. The struggle is so real that they easily chose the path of the dark world so that they can sometimes eat a meal of the day. We can judge them as much as we want but every individual has different thresholds of bearing pain and reacts differently to pressure points.

We can keep discussing numerous demographic groups and the cause of their disturbed mental peace and the list will be really a long one! But that is not is important. The main aim of today’s blog post is why is it a stigma , a taboo to discuss mental health openly in our country? Why is the society judgmental to men who cry and to women who don’t during a personal loss or in moments of grief? Why is it a norm to always showcase happy pictures in your social media accounts and gather likes? Does life always make us laugh? No, never ! sadness, grief , stress , anxiety are very humane emotions but they are never accepted unless you are part of any therapy group or counselling session. This makes us a society that has excelled in pretending instead of living life. emotions like empathy , kindness and being considerate that makes us distinct from any other species present on earth is diminishing with each passing day and we are becoming more mechanical in our approach. This is surely a sign of alar and the sooner we realize it , it is better ! The first step is probably the acceptance of having pain and to express it( to closed and trusted people) and the need to patiently hear out some ones grief or difficulties rather than always trying to give unwanted suggestions.

‘This post is part of #CauseAChatter with Blogchatter’ 

Let me know what do you feel about my thoughts.

Love,

Chinmayee