The honest answer to the most difficult question!

Me: Hey, how are you?

You: I am doing fine. ( breaking down within)

I know many of us have given this reply. We all know it's one of the biggest lies of all time. Let's talk about these lies without any filters. I will start-

A few months ago, I was in a tug of war with my emotions. I didn't know this condition was called anxiety, but I knew that I was not fine and my behavior was not normal. My days would start with crying and end with me feeling awful about myself. Anger was my escape, and I used to bash out uncontrollably at everything and nothing. My wrath transformed into revenge; I wanted to hurt people who caused me the pain I never wanted to feel again. It became worse when crying also started hurting me. The heaviness in the breath was followed by the unbearable pain in my chest. Shivering would make guest appearances every now and then. Oversleeping was my best friend but betrayed me within no time. Loss of appetite took turns to punish me. I failed in recognizing all these symptoms as I struggled terribly in identifying my emotions and dealing with them. This battle went on for months, and I lost every time. I knew I had reached my breaking point when I was fighting with myself for myself.?

I sought professional help, but it didn't help me. My yearning for peace was so strong that I chose to feel my emotions instead of letting the denial seep in. This choice rewarded me with the acceptance that helped me recover immensely.?

I hope my story has forced you to think about "your mental health."

If not then, here are some alarming and daunting facts-

• The population of India is 139 crores and, out of that, more than 6.5 % of the citizens are suffering from mental health issues.?
• India has only three psychiatrists, 0.7 psychologists, and 0.7 social workers for every 10 lakh people. Developed countries have 66 psychiatrists for every 10 lakh people.?
• India spends only 0.16% of the Total Union Health Budget (2.2%) on Mental Health. In comparison, Bangladesh spends 0.44 %, and average countries spend 4 % on their mental health, respectively.
• According to the National Health Survey of 2016, around 70- 92% of people suffering from mental health issues fail to receive treatment.
• Studies have said that 9 out of 10 people suffering from mental health disorders become the victims of discrimination.?
• Unfortunately, India has bagged the first position in teenage suicides. According to WHO, in every 1 lakh people, 21 people commit suicide in India.
• According to the statistics, the economic loss due to mental health illnesses between 2012- 2030 is estimated to be 1.03 trillion dollars.?
• More than 50 % of corporate employees suffer from anxiety and depression.

I sincerely hope that these facts have frightened you. We live in a world where we rush to the hospital if we observe the slightest change in our physical health, but when it comes to our brain, we prefer to call the person "Mental'' or "Pagal."??

Discussion around Mental Health is still taboo because of unawareness, irrational stigmas, toxic masculinity, fear, and whatnot. It's high time we understand that mental health issues don't discriminate between your gender, caste, or financial status.?

With the pandemic upending our lives, the number of people suffering from anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, and so many more is escalating rapidly.?My goal via this blog is to make you mindful and sensitive. All you can do is be kind and create a safe space for those in need. From your perspective, it might not seem like much, but it's the willingness to try that truly matters.?

Before signing off, hear this out and practice it-

"Be that ear for someone scared to speak, give your shoulder to somebody unable to cry, offer your kind heart to somebody afraid to trust, and be that one silhouette that manages to break through someone's tainted shadow that he sees true daybreak for the first time."