It’s time to take mental health advocacy off social media and practise it in real life
On Sunday, the country was shocked by the demise of actor Sushant Singh Rajput — death by suicide. Social media was flooded with celeb statements and paparazzi pictures of his body being taken for post-mortem. Then began the Whatsapp forwards — images of the actor’s lifeless body. As the police delved into Rajput’s troubled mental health, people forwarded messages about his alleged history of drug abuse.
The importance of a healthy mind is reduced to sharing a few helpline numbers on social media and debating with friends on what must have been plaguing him. Rajput’s demise has laid bare India’s indifferent attitude towards mental health.
LOG KYA KAHENGE?
World Health Organisation (WHO) data claims that close to 70% of people suffering from mental health ailments in India don’t get treatment. The fact remains that anxiety and depression are still considered something you can just ‘get over’. According to a 2018 survey by actor Deepika Padukone’s mental health nonprofit organisation, 47% of respondents were not only judgemental of people with mental health issues but also likely to stay away from those who were depressed. Given how media and public are analysing the reason behind his depression, it is clear that most of us are clueless about the illness. Across platforms, his fans ask why he took the drastic step instead of confiding in someone.
DEPRESSION IS NOT A CHOICE
Yes, confiding about depressive thoughts can help someone. But, it is merely the first step in a long battle. Clinical or major depression alters the brain, impacts the endocrine system, and weakens the immune system. While those with milder forms of depression may find relief in self-help strategies such as exercise and meditation, severe cases need medical intervention. But here’s the thing about depression: At times, the person suffering from it doesn’t realise that it is treatable. And a chemical imbalance in the brain, a trademark of depression, is to blame. No one chooses to be depressed. Their brain just doesn’t allow them to snap out of it.
NEED FOR GREATER AWARENESS
In the past few decades, the conversation around mental health has become louder in India. And yet, the discourse is far from where we need it to be. Taking a “mental health day” at work is often required, but so is the practice of checking in with our near and dear ones.
Understanding the symptoms of depression and encouraging those who exhibit them to seek treatment is the first step. Knowing the red flags for suicidal thoughts and the willingness to help someone showcasing them is what can save a life. Saying “I’m depressed!” when you’re just sad sends the message that tomorrow you might wake up feeling mood-disorder-free — which is contrary to what this illness allows.
Educating people — who think depression is a choice — is the need of the hour. While reports suggest Rajput was seeking psychiatric help, not everyone has that liberty — many can’t even talk to their family about what they are feeling.with India boasting of the highest suicide rate in South-east Asia, it’s time to take mental health advocacy off social media and practise it in real life — by talking about it to family, friends, colleagues, and whoever else is willing to listen. This is the least we can do to honour Sushant Singh Rajput’s memory.