Mumbai: Mental health issues should be accorded priority over career and social acceptance. Those facing them should seek help from professionals, experts have said. The mental health issue has come to light once more with the suicide of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. A number of people have said, Sushant Singh Rajput was battling depression. He was 34 and one of the most talented actors among the current heroes.
1st route for survival
Acceptance of mental illness is the first route for survival. Community-level awareness, communication and reaching out to people for help then will help in tackling the disease. Mental illness has emerged as a silent killer according to experts.
Frankness matters
Dr Sheetal Bidkar is a clinical psychologist and addiction therapist at hospital here. She said one should be frank about the problems they encounter due to mental illness. “Our openness to counselling and visits to mental health professionals will decrease suffering. Seek professional help and be open with the treatment plan. Be okay with medicines as no one chooses to be stressed,” Bidkar said. “Prioritise mental health care over exam, career or social acceptance,” she added.
The clinical psychologist called for ending the stigma attached to mental health. She said it often prevents its victims to openly talk about it and seek help.
“Continuous care is the key to long-term recovery. Anyone can have stress. So avoid stigma and calling these people weak-minded etc,” Bidkar asserted.
Stress symptoms
Bidkar also explained how stress can cause mental health problems and how it works on human body. “Stress has to be taken seriously as it alters peoples’ physical, emotional, behavioral and cognitive state,” she pointed out.
“Quality of sleep, change in weight, digestion problems, poor concentration, poor judgment, racing thoughts are symptoms of stress. Also neglecting responsibilities, nervous behaviors and moodiness, loneliness, feeling depressed indicates stress,” she added.
Bidkar said surveys have suggested that more than 85 per cent of people (respondents) have experienced stress in their lives. “No one wants to talk about it. Chronic stress is capable of pushing one towards breakdown,” she cautioned.
Raising community awareness
Prakriti Poddar is another expert in mental health here. Community-level awareness about mental health conditions is important, she said. This is because it allows the affected person to lean on a support system. It may prevent him/her from taking extreme step,” said Poddar.
Effects of depression
“In these times of extreme stress and isolation, depression is likely to affect more people than in usual times. Depression is a disease that may not have a manifestation at all. If at all it chooses to show, the signs are unlike any disease. It is difficult to gauge exactly what must be going through the person’s mind. But a sense of hopelessness forces them to take the extreme step,” Poddar asserted.
Mental health more important than physical
Ravi Godse, filmmaker and physician, said mental health care should be given the importance it deserves.
“Mental well-being is not as important as physical well-being; it is more important. Stress like coronavirus, is hidden and that makes it dangerous. In India, there is a taboo about mental health diagnoses. But one should be frank about it,” said Godse.