So let's say you go to your co-worker out of concern because he/she has been on leave for a week. Your co-worker starts discussing his/her stomach issues or back pain issues. That is a normal conversation. When your co-worker confides in you about visiting a gynecologist or a dentist, that is a normal conversation too.
But what if the co-worker you adore and are really concerned about tells you – “Hey, I have been on leave because I have been having an anxiety episode lately. I have been sleeping a lot and find it really hard to get out of bed and do the basic stuff” or when your co-worker confides in you about their overwhelming therapy sessions or how he/she is visiting a psychiatrist.
Does this suddenly become a very awkward conversation for you? If it does not, then great! But if it does, maybe it is time we look into ourselves and ask this question: why is someone suffering from a physical illness a cause of concern and mental illness is something you don’t want to get into?
Despite the growing awareness surrounding mental health issues, there remains a prevailing stigma attached to seeking therapy or openly discussing psychological struggles. While physical ailments are met with sympathy and understanding, mental health concerns often trigger discomfort and avoidance. This disparity highlights a glaring double standard that persists in our society.
The consequences of this stigma are far-reaching. We all know the drama that went on for months in 2020 surrounding Sushant Singh Rajput's death. There were discussions about nepotism, Rhea being a gold digger, and the list can go on. But how many people were actually talking about mental health, and how many even know what happened? How many of us know that Sushant was a patient of depression, anxiety, & bipolar disorder? And in reality, just before he killed himself, he was paranoid with the thought that the media would blame him for his ex-manager's death, which was causing him increased anxiety attacks. The majority of us don’t know this story. We don’t want to believe this story because the truth is uncomfortable, right?
It's crucial to normalize mental health issues and create a safe space for those who need it. If we struggle to understand what someone is going through, let's approach them with an open mind. Dealing with anxiety, depression, or any other disorder is already tough. The least we can offer is our full support, love, and care. They don't need us to be judgmental; they already face enough judgment within themselves.
If you are someone or know someone who is going through a phase of mental health issues, please reach out to your family, friends, or therapists. Things may seem all dark today, but there is always light within you that you can find to beat the darkness outside you.
If you are someone who is actively trying to fight your mental health issues, hang in there. There is light at the end of the dark tunnel even if you don’t see it today.
Keep smiling! Be nice to people around you because we never know what they might be going through. An act of kindness can mean way more for someone else than it may seem to you.
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