Mental Health: It’s time now…

As quoted from “The House in the Cerulean Sea”,

“Humanity is so weird. If we’re not laughing, we’re crying or running for our lives because monsters are trying to eat us. And they don’t even have to be real monsters. They could be the ones we make up in our heads. Don’t you think that’s weird?”

Mental health this, mental health that, is all we have been hearing about for the last few years. But is it really oh so important? Do we really need to spread awareness? We all keep going on and on about how important one’s mental health is, but talking is all we do. When will we start taking initiatives on the same? The stigma surrounding mental health is not only archaic but also dangerous. Even though there is unprecedented access to knowledge today, mental health ignorance is still shockingly pervasive. Misperceptions continue to exist, supported by outmoded beliefs and a culture that frequently ignores the suffering of millions.

It’s time to rise against this epidemic of ignorance. It’s time to educate ourselves and others about mental health, eradicate the shame associated with seeking help, and dismantle the barriers preventing access to quality care. It’s high time we start working towards bettering our mental health and trying to make our environment more positive.

The first step is to start working on ourselves; we need to give ourselves time for that. Even 10 minutes of our day for a little self-care is a great start. It’s better to start with the smallest of things than never to start at all. Read your favorite book, listen to the music that makes you happy, go watch that movie you couldn’t because of work, do your skincare, paint, play an instrument, and do things that make you happy. This is where we start.

The second place to start is at schools and workplaces. Schools and offices have become the locations for growing anxiety. We need to work as a community and make it a safe space for each and every one. It’s time we change our mindsets and learn and grow with each other. Teachers and parents should stop comparing children. I’ve seen teachers give children the pressure of scoring 100% in just grade 1 and this continues all the way till the end of high school and throughout college. I’ve seen teachers, body-shame kids, telling them to stop eating certain foods just so they can maintain a “nice figure”. All of these thoughts can ruin a child, people don’t think about the consequences, and it can lead it anorexia, bulimia or other eating disorders, body dysmorphia, anxiety, and even depression. Students too need to stop cyberbullying, bullying, body-shaming, being homophobic, transphobic, etc. We need to work together to create this safe space for us. Social media platforms are a great way to advocate this mission. Teaching the students how to handle panic attacks and how to handle themselves and others on a generally bad day. We should address the symptoms of having a bad mental health day, anxiety, eating disorders, depression, etc. Getting help from others, and talking to professionals is not a taboo and is actually encouraged while dealing with emotions and other mental health problems.

The time for complacency is over. Mental health is not a fringe issue; it’s a central concern that affects us all. It’s time to break the silence, shatter the stigma, and demand the support and resources necessary to address this urgent crisis.

Because in the end, what is life’s worth when we are not happy or satisfied with it?

~Avishi Khar~

My name is Avishi Khar, a student from Amity International School, studying in class 12. I am an avid reader and love to write. I always love to learn about new things and cultures. I am passionate about research in neuroscience and other biological sciences and hope to pursue a career in the same.

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