Opinion | Mental Health: From Stigma to Awareness

Mental health is vital for a sound body and its functioning as all activities and responses become possible with the proper coordination of brain and nerves.The healthier the coordination,the more efficient and active the functioning of the body.The brain plays a significant role in our body and helps us to retain visuals, data and information with the sense of thinking—whether positively or negatively— through its dynamic memory.But in the recent times several people,specially the youngsters are suffering from intense mood disorders and other mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, isolation and other mental illnesses which led them to be isolated from the society.While, some of them prefer to be connect with the society through social media rather than physically.The overall sufferings are constituted due to the dominance of social media platforms,digital screens and decreased sense of public interactions.The chain starts from an isolation or a problem—perphaps personal or work related—and ends with a lasting impact on mental health,which not only require medication but counselling for recovery.

According to research,11.3% of the adult population suffers from mental illness in the valley.This shows an alarming condition which needs proper medical and professional interference along with the support and courage by the family.However,as compared to males (8.4%), females had a higher prevalence (12.9%).Perhaps,affected females,in majority of the cases are sufferers of domestic violence and pressure and becomes the reason for their mental illness.In J&K,several mothers are suffering from mental illnesses as their youngsters are addicted to drugs,some lost their youngsters in political unrest and several other personal issues created a void in relations,which led to the illnesses such as depression,anxiety and mental fatigue.

In the valley of Kashmir,several individuals are suffering from mental illness such as depression and drug addiction due to several contributing factors:due to the highest unemployment rate,few business models,bad company and less awareness.All the brain related diseases are curable with proper medical prescription, counseling and therapies.But with this personal mindset,family support and positive societal behaviour stands firm for the treatment of mental illnesses and recovery of an individual.

Depression, which is most common in the region, is a severe mood disorder with a sense of a person as to how he behaves,thinks and reacts to a stimulus.However,several people feel depressed due to work burden,family pressures and societal pressure.Meanwhile, family reacts to the personal who actually suffers from mental disorders as normal,society as mad with different loop of taboos, myths and a social stigma results in different social insecurities and discriminations.And the patient,who suffers from mental illness remains a silent and unheard in between the chaos of myths and social stigma.We have to consider this fact that mental disorder is an illness and needs to be cured not to be criticized.However,it would be possible only by organizing awareness camps with different unique initiatives and education related to common mental diseases to make societies familiar.

Common Myths About Mental Health in Our Society:

•Several people term mental illness as a weakness or a character flaw but in reality mental health conditions are medical issues, just like diabetes or hypertension,caused by biological, psychological, and social factors.

•In our society,elders believe that only adults suffer from mental disorders but children and adolescents can also experience mental health conditions.In spite of this,several parents don’t believe in the physical symptoms of their children and ignore the consultation.

•Several people don’t like to talk about mental health as discussing these health consequences makes things worse,which led to an ignorant society.However,open conversations reduce stigma and encourage people to seek help early.

Depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses could be cured by seeking professional guidance.At the same time,there is a need for greater awareness and education about mental health to prevent misinformation,myths and the social stigma created by society.

Ayaan Saroori is a freelance writer and columnist.He can be reached at ayaansaroori8@gmail.com