Why Mental Health Is Not Taboo Anymore?

The isolation has not only brought the entire world to a standstill but has also managed to make the people understand the true value of one's own mental health.
wellness · 3 min
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Due to the precautionary measure of maintaining social distancing and self-isolation being advocated to curb Covid 19, I often found myself sitting face to face with the one thing I preferred running away from, My mental health. 

It made me wonder whether it's actually okay to not be okay, or is it really? Before now did we even have the time to think of that, to begin with? I might face some heat for writing this but I still feel it's worth the shot. 

Sadly, in India, Mental health issues are even bigger taboo than in the west. Us, 'proud' millennials constantly boast about how modern, progressive, educated, ambitious and successful we are yet we fail to even acknowledge let alone actually even attempt to understand even the basics of mental health. We sure don't waste a single breath to point fingers when things go wrong.

We often even blame our parents, families, or even society by large for being less sensitive towards such delicate issues but are we even half as kind to ourselves if we fall a victim to it? Honestly, we don't really give a damn about it as long as it doesn't mess with our ability to constantly be in denial and put a brave face on for the world to see. Oh, and dear lord it never would or it's just what we choose to believe in because "We are not MAD!" 

I for one have lost count of the number of times I've heard people say that to a person whose mental health might just be in shambles but they wouldn't want to actually believe that because again, "Get Busy, work harder and trust me you will feel better! Achieving your professional goals will rid you of your mental and emotional misery"

Mental health is not a taboo

During the lockdown, it came as such a shocker that a lot of supposedly 'successful' Bollywood A-Listers ended up committing suicide. Even though a few of them are open cases as of now but the sad fact is that a person resorted to taking their his/her own life yet a lot of people aren't still willing to admit what a burden poor mental health can be for the person suffering from it or that they even weren't mentally fit for quite some time. 

We never really made stable mental health as a necessity to lead a happy, successful, and balanced life. As long as we are politically and socially conscious, are constantly on our toes and of course future-focused, all is good! In fact, to add to that more the zeros on our paychecks the happier and positive we would feel.  

As if by having the perfect job, the perfect house, and all the bounties and privileges available to mankind we are entitled to feel happier. This Toxic notion and idea of happiness and success are so deeply ingrained within us that we choose, not to believe it. We happen to be so future-focused with the idea of creating our 'Perfect Instagram(able) worthy lives' that we don't even allow ourselves the time to take a breather and just for once have the courage to ask ourselves whether this is the kind of 'perfect' what we truly even wanted in the first place or is this just a way to be a part of the herd?

How about the perfectly imperfect life we might wish to have as long as we feel happy with ourselves and are not constantly weighed down with the escalating pressure to  Look and feel perfect mentally and physically, at all times. To have our head in the game and dare not lose it either.

It's a shame how we wouldn't bat an eyelid at a person who might be unwell or may be physically challenged but readily labels a mentally ill person as "Insane" or simply a hopeless case. Honestly, the world would be such a comforting place to be if only we were taught how to be more loving, supportive, and accepting towards ourselves and others too, Just the way we are. The Good with the bad, the dark parts with the light. 

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Opinions and Perspectives

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CosmicHorizon commented CosmicHorizon 3 years ago

It's important to check on friends who seem to have it all together.

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Noah commented Noah 3 years ago

The article's message about self-acceptance is powerful.

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Brielle_Rice commented Brielle_Rice 3 years ago

We need more culturally sensitive mental health resources.

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AvaMarie_07 commented AvaMarie_07 3 years ago

Everyone deserves access to mental health support.

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KinsleyPerry commented KinsleyPerry 3 years ago

The stigma is slowly reducing but we still have a long way to go.

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SamuelK commented SamuelK 3 years ago

I'm glad we're moving away from just pushing people to work harder.

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SerenityX commented SerenityX 3 years ago

Mental health literacy should be part of school curriculum.

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TranquilHeart commented TranquilHeart 3 years ago

The article really captures the millennial experience.

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Leonnig_Lines commented Leonnig_Lines 3 years ago

We need more affordable therapy options.

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BriaM commented BriaM 3 years ago

The pandemic showed how important mental health support is.

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MarloweH commented MarloweH 3 years ago

Sometimes professional help is necessary and that's okay.

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Leah_Daydream commented Leah_Daydream 3 years ago

The article could have explored gender differences in mental health.

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Scarlet_Promise commented Scarlet_Promise 3 years ago

We need to stop treating mental health as a luxury concern.

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Thrive-And_Shine_360 commented Thrive-And_Shine_360 3 years ago

The emphasis on perfection is definitely harmful.

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SunnySoul_Shine_77 commented SunnySoul_Shine_77 3 years ago

More workplaces need mental health first aid training.

1
Zen-Vibes_Only commented Zen-Vibes_Only 3 years ago

I appreciate how the article addresses cultural specifics.

2
Maddy_Rose commented Maddy_Rose 3 years ago

The impact of social media on mental health can't be ignored.

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Greta-McGuire commented Greta-McGuire 3 years ago

We need better insurance coverage for mental health treatment.

3
JoyXO commented JoyXO 3 years ago

The connection between work stress and mental health is real.

0
BrynleeJ commented BrynleeJ 3 years ago

It's encouraging to see more men talking about mental health.

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GlowUpGoals commented GlowUpGoals 3 years ago

We should focus more on prevention rather than just treatment.

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DailyStretch commented DailyStretch 3 years ago

The article makes good points about self-acceptance.

2
Carissa-Kim commented Carissa-Kim 3 years ago

Mental health awareness needs to reach rural areas too.

2
LostFrequency commented LostFrequency 3 years ago

I'm glad more people are questioning toxic positivity.

3
Eva_Whisper commented Eva_Whisper 3 years ago

The pressure to always be happy and successful is unrealistic.

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IndiaJ commented IndiaJ 3 years ago

We need to normalize taking mental health breaks.

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Gabriella_Wells commented Gabriella_Wells 3 years ago

Breaking the stigma starts with open conversations like this.

5
AlexandraXO commented AlexandraXO 3 years ago

The article could have addressed the role of family support more deeply.

6
Livia-Stevens commented Livia-Stevens 4 years ago

It's important to remember that recovery isn't linear.

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AutumnGibson commented AutumnGibson 4 years ago

I wish more companies would provide mental health resources to employees.

1
WavelengthX commented WavelengthX 4 years ago

The pandemic showed us we're all vulnerable to mental health challenges.

1
Winona_Lavish commented Winona_Lavish 4 years ago

Sometimes just acknowledging that you're not okay is the first step.

2
Aria_S commented Aria_S 4 years ago

I appreciate how the article addresses the role of social media in mental health.

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NatureLoverVibes commented NatureLoverVibes 4 years ago

The comparison to physical illness is powerful. Both deserve equal care and attention.

1
AutumnJ commented AutumnJ 4 years ago

We need to stop equating mental health issues with weakness.

0
Camryn-Bowman commented Camryn-Bowman 4 years ago

The article really captures the generational divide in understanding mental health.

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SmileMoreLiveMore commented SmileMoreLiveMore 4 years ago

I've started setting boundaries at work to protect my mental health.

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EllaAllen commented EllaAllen 4 years ago

The pressure to always be productive is exhausting and harmful.

1
AlinaS commented AlinaS 4 years ago

It's sad how we still judge people for seeking therapy or counseling.

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Evelyn_7 commented Evelyn_7 4 years ago

The lockdown was tough but it helped normalize conversations about mental health.

1
StarGazerX commented StarGazerX 4 years ago

We need more public figures speaking openly about their mental health struggles.

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Miriam_Twinkle commented Miriam_Twinkle 4 years ago

I've seen positive changes in my workplace regarding mental health support.

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Goodman_Guide commented Goodman_Guide 4 years ago

The toxic work culture definitely contributes to poor mental health.

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Mila-Cox commented Mila-Cox 4 years ago

Mental health support should be as normal as going to a regular doctor.

1
TommyJ commented TommyJ 4 years ago

The part about denial really struck me. We're so good at pretending everything's fine.

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ReginaH commented ReginaH 4 years ago

I think younger people are much better at recognizing and addressing mental health issues.

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Sherman_Scoop commented Sherman_Scoop 4 years ago

The article perfectly captures how we prioritize career success over mental wellbeing.

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GravityShifterX commented GravityShifterX 4 years ago

It's true about millennials bragging about being progressive while still stigmatizing mental health issues.

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KelseyB commented KelseyB 4 years ago

We definitely need more affordable mental health resources in India.

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QuantumSurge commented QuantumSurge 4 years ago

Sometimes I wonder if social media is helping or hurting mental health awareness.

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Allen_Alerts commented Allen_Alerts 4 years ago

The pandemic really exposed how poorly equipped we are to handle mental health crises.

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Jasmine_Miracle commented Jasmine_Miracle 4 years ago

I've started being more open about my therapy sessions with friends. Most are surprisingly supportive.

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Elaine-Newton commented Elaine-Newton 4 years ago

True, but mental health awareness doesn't automatically translate to acceptance or understanding.

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McNary_Musings commented McNary_Musings 4 years ago

It's refreshing to read something so honest about mental health in the Indian context.

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Cecilia_Bryant commented Cecilia_Bryant 4 years ago

Being perfectly imperfect is such a powerful concept. We need to embrace this more.

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June_Flare commented June_Flare 4 years ago

The article's point about success not guaranteeing happiness is so important. We need to redefine what success means.

4
MelanieX commented MelanieX 4 years ago

This reminds me of how my workplace still treats mental health days differently from sick days.

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Norah-Webb commented Norah-Webb 4 years ago

I wish schools would teach children about mental health from an early age. It would make such a difference.

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Delilah-Hughes commented Delilah-Hughes 4 years ago

The pressure to maintain a perfect social media presence definitely impacts mental health negatively.

1
Mona_Mystic commented Mona_Mystic 4 years ago

Talking about mental health is one thing, but access to affordable treatment is still a huge issue.

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HarperAnderson commented HarperAnderson 4 years ago

I actually found the lockdown helped me focus on my mental health. Finally had time to start therapy.

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IsabellaTaylor commented IsabellaTaylor 4 years ago

The comparison between physical and mental illness treatment in society is spot on. We need to bridge that gap.

2
LunarDystopia commented LunarDystopia 4 years ago

I've noticed more people openly discussing therapy on social media. That was unthinkable just a few years ago.

4
Janelle_Dream commented Janelle_Dream 4 years ago

Working harder isn't always the answer. Sometimes we need to work smarter and take care of ourselves first.

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TheGoodLifeVibes commented TheGoodLifeVibes 4 years ago

My parents still don't understand anxiety or depression. They just say Get over it or Think positive.

1
Alice_XO commented Alice_XO 4 years ago

The article makes some valid points, but I think it's too harsh on society's progress. Things are slowly changing for the better.

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HaileyB commented HaileyB 4 years ago

What struck me most was the part about being kind to ourselves. We're often our own harshest critics.

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IvannaJ commented IvannaJ 4 years ago

I feel seen. The pressure to just work harder and get busy when feeling down is so real.

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NiaX commented NiaX 4 years ago

Can't believe we still use words like mad and insane so casually. Language matters when discussing mental health.

0
Madeline commented Madeline 4 years ago

I work in HR and I've seen a positive shift in how companies are approaching mental health support for employees.

1
Brokaw_Broadcast commented Brokaw_Broadcast 4 years ago

The Instagram-perfect life comparison really resonates with me. We're all trying to maintain this facade of perfection.

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OuterSpaceX commented OuterSpaceX 4 years ago

Interesting perspective, but I think the article oversimplifies the progress we've made in mental health awareness, especially in urban India.

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ElliePrice commented ElliePrice 4 years ago

The lockdown forced many of us to face our mental health head-on. It was challenging but maybe that's what we needed.

1
Camila_Hughes commented Camila_Hughes 4 years ago

I disagree that millennials don't care about mental health. In my experience, we're actually more open to discussing it than previous generations.

2
Monique_Lux commented Monique_Lux 4 years ago

The part about successful Bollywood stars really shows that mental health issues can affect anyone, regardless of their status or wealth.

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HolisticHeart commented HolisticHeart 4 years ago

I appreciate how the author points out the disconnect between our supposedly progressive mindset and our actual attitudes toward mental health.

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Grateful_Heart_Vibes_69 commented Grateful_Heart_Vibes_69 4 years ago

This article really hits home. I've struggled with anxiety for years but always felt pressure to keep it hidden from colleagues and friends.

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