Let's think .....AGAIN

10 october was world mental health awareness initiative for more than 7.8 billion people across the globe . Social media had a lot of stories. .Almost all of them had highlighted when it happened and what was their behavior .General trend ,depressive patients have started sharing their stories ,making us believe that mental illness is depression . However this is not true .It has alot of types. Since it is mental health day awareness initiative shouldn’t focus on a single one .

A lot of people mentioned the stigma around same . A self build fear that stops them from accepting the problem . People who are suffering from spoke about it , however patients of other type are still under a fear.. It is so rare , that people with psychosis or manic disorder are identified and given help . Neither do they accept it nor does their system . Unless the case becomes violent and severity increases people stay quiet.

In most of the social media inspirational notes , the concerned was raised by people living in bigger cities. One day I spoke to a shopkeeper whose outlet was near suburb of city . A rented shop , poor quality goods and serving customers who either bargain , barter or want on credit , he works six days and 4 hours on Sunday . Huge loans to pay and no assets . Nothing to motivate and a dull mechanic life . What would be his state of mind…..however he has no idea about mental health.

While reading about mental health I also realized that food , exercise , lifestyle and the drugs (if used) play a vital role in mental illness. What surprised me that there were no discussion around it. While sudden weight gain is an age group can lead to it but the campaign had no youth icons saying No to any such item.

Loneliness and separation are painful, irrespective of age . They have a severe effect on state of mind .Still the number of old age homes are increasing . Sometimes elderly couple who stay with their children are cornered. If they are unfortunate then they are even subject to verbal spat , abuse and physical assault. Still neither there are any dedicated helpline numbers for them to talk nor there are any commissions.

Lifestyle has changed the way we think. A friend of mine works in MNC , five days of rigorous work and two days of detoxification . I oftenly ask her why to make a toxic choice that pushes you to such detoxification . A choice that brings imbalance in our lives would have an effect in longer run . An effect that can be either physical or mental.

Dramatic increase in a problem reflects there is a much needed change .A change at all levels and in every choice .The narrative around the mental health awareness needs to cover all sections of society . It’s hero’s should been talking about everything . From migrant workers to industrialist and from depressive to maniacs . From anxiety to OCD and from pyschosis to bipolar . The role of food and drugs should be done in more comprehensive level . Most importantly , it's an awareness initiative lets understand it as it should be .

After all if an awareness initiative is selective it will be lose it’s objectivity.

pic courtesy : Shuvo Bhattacharyya.