Breaking The Shackles

“He stood on the sidewalk talking to himself; it was a sight which everyone saw but no one cared to look twice at. It was disheartening; he was stared at and was pelted with stones, and he was named – “Madman”. Is this the right attitude? Why is it that not even one pair of hands is helping him? Is it because the society in which we live or is it the lack of awareness towards mental health?”

Before we go further, it is important to know what Mental Health is – According to WHO “Mental health is defined as a state of well – being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”. This definition gives a clear idea of what mental health is and its importance. Mental well-being in the modern world is just as important as physical as well as emotional well-being as an individual is constantly working under deadlines and fierce competition.

The one true question that we need to ask is, “Why isn’t mental health getting the required attention?” Let us go further with an example; Turn back the pages of your life and think about the schools and colleges in which you studied, was there a special cell dedicated to mental health or career guidance? Is there a counselling centre present in each town? Though heartbreaking, the answer would be “NO”. Here lies the problem, if institutions like schools and colleges don’t have such facilities, it is almost impossible to spread awareness about such sensitive matters as educational institutes are the one that is moulding an individual’s life.

When we speak of mental health and mental well-being, there always lays a stigma associated with it. Even some movies and such other mass mediums tend to show mental and psychological disorders in an uncanny manner which influences and makes people take such matters very lightly.

The main theme of World Mental Health Day this year is “Suicide Prevention”. It is high time for us to realise that “Life is Precious” and there is no one such problem in this world without a solution. It is also important to know that there is nothing wrong with seeking professional help whenever necessary. The key to such a problem is to open up and speak about what is going through because there are always people around you care and are ready to listen.

So on this World Mental Health Day, let us all as one, break the stigmatized shackles surrounding mental illness and fill ourselves and people around us with positive thoughts and strive towards a blissful life.

My recommendation for this post is a movie named “Little Miss Sunshine” directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, starring Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell and Alan Arkin. It is a feel happy movie and I am pretty sure that it will bring a smile on your face.

 Hope you have an exciting watch!!!