The birds flying high in the vast blue sky, chirping as they flapped their wings in freedom while Yash was looking at them through his office window, struggling to keep his inner self in equilibrium with the peaceful weather outside. As a student, Yash was always very hard working and dedicated. He was always in the good books of his parents, teachers and peers. On graduating school, complying to his father’s wishes he joined the same office where his father used to work.
His father was a dedicated sales manager and great source of inspiration for his co-workers. It was a bright and sunny morning. The white and fluffy clouds drifted across the sky. Unfortunately, his father faced an untimely death and Yash was asked to take the position of his father as the new Sales Manager. Being very close to his father, Yash was deeply saddened by his death. Naturally, he couldn’t hold himself together for some weeks, and it took a lot of courage for him to return to the office and fill in the shoes of his father. His days at work had started becoming physically and mentally exhausting. He was not able to concentrate on his work. His colleagues and subordinates envied his newly acquired post and believed that he did not deserve it. The old glow on his face gradually turned into a shadowy pale within months. He did not have any friends whom he could talk to about his workplace. Worse, their envy for Yash clouded the fact that he had recently suffered from a tragic loss. None of them bothered to ask him about the changes he was going through in his life. He considered going to a therapist, but, how could he? He was a man, a grown-up man, tough and strong like a rock. Society had always taught him that only abnormal people or people with mental illness go to a therapist. Seeking mental help from anyone would mean he is of unsound mind and not fit to live and work with the common men. He tried to get over it all by himself. He failed.
That is when he began drinking. Yash found his solace in a bottle of liquor. But the peace wouldn’t last long. Every night, he had nightmares. He could hear people say, “Look at Yash. Got his job just because the boss sympathized with him. Soon he will be fired. Very soon.” Yash feared going to work the next day. But he had no reason to take a leave as well. Nothing which the others would understand. That day, Yash did turn up for work, but drunk. Everyone saw as he walked unconsciously, trying to maintain his balance, then tripping over the carpet and falling. His boss came striding towards him, abusing him in the worst manner possible. He was asked to get up and go inside his office as his letter of termination was prepared.
Yash somehow managed to go inside his chamber. He washed his face splashing water all around. He realized what was happening with him. As he saw the fleet of birds outside from his window, he thought to himself, “Death with dignity is better than life with humiliation.” The next moment, there was a sounding of shattering glass and a huge thud. Yash’s soul finally attained the eternal peace which he longed for.
Mental health is not just a concept that refers to an individual’s psychological and emotional well being. Rather, it’s a state of psychological and emotional well being where an individual is able to use their cognitive and emotional capabilities, meet the ordinary demands and functions in the society. Although the general perception of mental illness has improved over the past decades, studies show that stigma against mental illness is still powerful, largely due to media stereotypes and lack of education, and that people tend to attach negative stigmas to mental health conditions at a far higher rate than to other diseases and disabilities, such as cancer, diabetes or heart disease.
Mental illness can affect anyone at all ages, gender, cultures, educational and income levels. What is important is the support the individual and family gets, therefore by supporting the family members it becomes easier for them to care for the sick person.Mental health awareness should be done in communities to increase people’s understanding towards a greater mental health society so there can be less stigmatization.
-Shreyansh, Radhika, Nikunj