Abhishek Keerthi

I pick up the phone. I call the therapist’s office. No answer. My Frustration and anxiety levels are through the roof. I feel like I am breaking down. I decide that enough is enough, I need help. I finally manage to get a consultation. They give me a sheet which is a test to assess my current well-being and initial impressions. I felt like I was staring at a reflection of all my terrible coping mechanisms that was holding me back which could honestly: go on top of a roof to plunge. At that moment, my intuition told me that this would be a worthy cause. I think, ah by coming here and talking, all my problems are in for a treat, but I realised that I was in for a treat, a bad one that is. It is not easy. And this is when I realised, I have been taking a “ignorance is a bliss” approach for so long. Do you know what’s intriguing? I was so hesitant on talking about this, which led me to wonder: why? Why is it so difficult to talk about this? What is holding us back for asking help? Is it our environment? The culture and stigma associated with it? Ourselves? From the moment we are born, we are engrained with unhelpful ideologies such as: Feeling weak for asking help. Self-worth being chipped away at. Fear: Fear of being judged and being vulnerable. Do you know a sure shot way of being miserable? Not asking for help. Do you know a sure shot way of being anxious all the time? Not asking for help. Do you know a sure shot way of failing in our assignments in college? Not asking for help. Do you see the pattern here? Its funny, our minds have a way of self-sabotaging ourselves. The way we have been brought up has serious implications on the way we think. For example, I had a conversation with my friend recently, he was talking about the problems that he is facing, but immediately he downplayed his problems. This is not the right approach. Your issues are just as valid as anyone else’s because it is just simply stopping us from who we really are which in itself, makes it valid. There are a load of misconceptions and preconceptions that are being spread but we must realise that it is nobody faults. It is just the perspective that is lacking in our communities. Some simple steps we can take is to educate ourselves and the ones around us. Awareness is a powerful tool. For instance, a person suffering from a learning disability is treated like somebody from outer space, although this just says that the person has a different way of grasping concepts. Who is it that is setting these standards? Who is it that is pulling you down? Tussle with yourself. There is only good that will come out of it. I wonder why the term mental “illness” has ever been coined. It suggests that the person is somehow “not right”. But herein lies the strength. It is easier not to care and not talk about it. Talking about it shows that we are not afraid of real conversations and we have the ability to dig deep and show compassion and empathise who are also bold enough to address their issues. It is not an illness, but it is being tenacious. So, the next time you feel. Feel whatever it is that you are feeling. Some of your thoughts might drag you back, but these are all just lies. Pick up the phone and take that bold step.