The recent incident of the suicide of successful film actor Sushant Singh Rajput raises everyone’s eyebrows. Be it young or old, only one question runs through their mind is why suicide after being successful?
Actually lockdown has put a lot of pressure on each one’s mindset. So every incident that his happening during this period people are feeling connected as all are going through the same phase be it of any age group or any background.
That’s why when a new break out about the suicide of a successful actor everyone feels shattered. Now as we all are Indian and that’s we have mixed kind of reaction also.
Where a larger group is sad. There are many small groups along with some of the national media channels that are putting question marks on death.
These people are ruthless enough to ask why what, and how. Despite knowing that a family lost their heart and soul they are not in the mood in showing any kind of mercy.
To utmost disappointment, these weird groups are shamelessly showing an image of the suicide with a detailed graphical explanation of how the incident took place. They don’t even blur his body images.
Despite the utter shock to the family, they don’t shy away to put a mic on their face just for the sake of TRP. And another group bullying her ex-girlfriend unnecessarily.
The headlines of the Hindi news channels hit the new low. They don’t even take the pain to think that these kinds of telecasts all over the country in the current scenario can actually affect anyone’s mental health and can even follow the same steps.
I’m not writing this post because he’s a famous actor. I’m writing because this is a need of the hour that mental health should be discussed profoundly. But before I start I want to share a small story with you.
Back in the year 2007. It’s the time when I was studying in Lucknow and living in a hostel. A new roommate comes to my room. We are three people.
Through an introduction, I came to know that she’s rich brat daughter of the bureaucrat and comes from the top most college of the country situated in Jaipur.
The only question that comes to my mind, if she studying in the best school why should has to come to Lucknow and doing intermediate from an average school.
As time pass I come to know she takes sleeping pills in the night. And after that also she’s not able to sleep. As I’ve to wake up till 4 am for studies, this girl not even sleep after that also. She sharer so many things. I’m quoting some of them here
“Sharukh khan is my favorite actor, he also has insomnia”
“I’ve heard eating chocolate brings good sleep.”
“My parents are saying that they will take me to Nur manzil if I don’t improve myself” (Nur Manzil Psychiatric Centre in Lucknow)
“My doctor is giving me treatment but I don’t have seen any improvement”
“I used to live alone in my room for 4 years.”
“My parents don’t have time for me”
She remains disappeared from the hostel for 1week. I don’t know where does she go.
Don’t know where she’s now. But that’s the first time in my life I come to know that is what we called depression.
As per WHO 1 out of 4 people suffers from mental health issues like depression once in a life.
http://origin.searo.who.int/india/topics/depression/about_depression/en/
As I was immature and don’t know how to deal or help her. But the time we spent together I try to spend some time with her to make her feel comfortable.
When she said that I live in a separate room alone from a very young age, the feeling of loneliness runs chill through my spin. I can’t imagine myself living alone in a room at that time not even now.
We all three siblings live in a common room, playing, fighting, and caring for each other. I can see the pain in her blank eyes.
When she said my parents don’t spend time with me, it reminds me of my mother who even feeds me till I’m in the intermediate. And trust that moment with my mother is the best moment of my life.
At that time I wonder how unlucky she’s despite having everything in her life she is so alone, struggling with her mental health and no-one is there to console her.
Jiah Khan, Pratyusha Banerjee are some prime example of the Indian celebrities who ended their lives out of depression.
Does the Sushant Singh incident remind me of that girl where people are asking why he did this despite being successful? They are not taking the pain that what mental struggle he’s going through.
Depression is occurring in many forms less or more. Be it young or old, rich or poor or even kids everyone is under the mental pressure of being successful, best in the society, best grades in exam.
According to the psychologist, answers are usually around us but we are not aware of it.
We Indians are so busy in the rat race of fulfilling our ambition and being best in a circle that we get ourselves lost.
We bluntly ask why the person does this, but do we ask what leads the person to this? What possibly go wrong? Where does the problem lie? What hurts them so much that they end up their life.
Various things like lack of education, getting judged, lack of empathy, awareness, ignorance, pressure, social stigma, expensive treatment consolidated together pull down the importance of Mental well being
Risk factors for depression, education-related difficulties, relationship issues, family-related issues, economic difficulties, and other factors.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6532377/
Depression is one of the most common health issues, some of its symptoms are sadness, crying, insomnia, lack of interest in daily routine, feeling of useless, a person goes in isolation and avoid crowds or public gatherings, helplessness, hopelessness, worthlessness, loss of concentration, last but not the least feeling or talking about self-harm or someone else.
Why we have to wait for someone to pass away? Why we don’t keep a watch on others or our own mental health? Observation, being more watchful and timely help bring a difference in your or someone else life.
The moment is to talk about it more like we talk about other diseases. And social stigma around mental health issues should be breakoff.
What keeps us away from discussing mental health? It’s easy to write about mental health on any social media platform but why we all resist it discussing in the real world.
If we are having any emotional imbalance in life and share with our near ones, the common question we ask why? Does no-one ask how I can help you or this person?
We start judging instead of finding a solution to the problem. We say you are so privileged, well settled, doing your dream job, going in the best college, living your dream life then what’s the problem why are you feeling depressed or suicidal? is this the joke?
This judgemental attitude does not let people open up what they are going through. The environment our society has created is not comfortable enough to discuss mental health issues.
And if someone does they have to give justification. Listen depression doesn’t need to be justified or people need to give justification.
Remember it’s not an easy moment to end one’s life. So please stop calling a suicidal attempt as weak or coward.
Yes, I got roasted by someone who commented on my social media post by calling out him a coward. As if judging someone who ends his life on social media is the brave man’s work.
Saying suicide is done by the weak in the public gives a loud and profound message to the people who are suffering from depression to remain silent. They find that suicide is an easy way to overcome depression.
In India 200 million people is expected to suffer from depression, i.e. one in five people
WHO
We need to talk more about mental health and how we can help someone. Reach out to them talk and guide them to have progression help from expert psychiatrists and psychologists.
The psychologists even give sessions online or over call and you don’t need to go to the clinic again and again.
Stop doing these things as a responsible person:
Discouraging others from getting treated, by making fun of them or calling them loser, coward.
Motivate people that they are enough to overcome from this.
Stop judging or criticizing their conditions.
It’s not a sign of weakness, don’t call them a coward.
Involve in new skills, take regular therapy.
Reach out to people who will understand your problem and help you out.
With the Corona, pandemic lead to an epidemic of depression. This needs to be the more Discussed topic when people are struggling for their survival.
We have so many brave examples of public figures who don’t shy away to share their mental health issues. Deepika Padukone, Shaheen Bhatt, and many more who have openly spoken about mental health. It gave courage to a lot of people who are struggling with depression.
Depression is not easy and talking about it is way more not easy. Remember it’s okay not to be okay but what is not okay is shying away from talking or seeking help.
We all are in the marathon,
to win the race.
sometimes we win,
sometimes we fail/
Let not the victory take over your mind.
Let not the failure desist you from shine.
If you feel tired in this rat race,
Unshackled yourself from this web.
Sooner or later you will find your destiny.
But don’t quit,
Because neither sooner nor later your loved ones will find you.
Important little reminder by Dr Bushra Nausheen
If you are going through mental health issues, please share it with your parents, siblings, and friends. See a psychiatrist or psychologist they are easily available for online sessions.
Don’t shy away from accepting or connecting with healthcare advisor. Mental health issues are just like any other illnesses and it’s treatable.
It’s not a matter of ashamed, it just a stigma of our society that we have to break and consider it more seriously. Everyone goes through a low point in their life. You are not alone. We are all in this together. You have to stay strong.
I know it’s difficult but it’s not impossible. If you are going through any kind of problem and don’t find a comfortable to share with your friend. Just ping me up on social media. We can discuss what can we do to overcome it.
I’m not a professional but I can guide you to my best.
Always remember that you are wonderful and unique.
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Yes even the big famous actress like feeling have come out with depression ..common man it is a matter of prestige.. When we will realise it is normal and talking about it helps
Bushra this is the best article I read so far, I believe, once in lifetime we all went through it yes I’m a victim of depression
I too can’t remain alone in a room like you. I really hope that friend of yours is cured now and is happy and healthy
It was really very sad to know about people taking life because of depression. Mental health is really important.
I went through such situation long back when my younger son was diagnosed with Asperger’s problem. Though I have got some really good friends and doctor beside me. Now, it’s quite controlled.
In spite of immense success, we never kniw what a person is going through inside. We jump to any conclusion and really dont even spare anyone in this process. Depression is real and dangerous.
Mental health is such an important issue as it is something that one needs to focus on in these uncertain times. Unfortunately in India there is much taboo even in discussing about mental health issues and people brush it under the carpet.
I truly agree with you sharing anything including the mental wars (which is happening inside your head) brings a lot of satisfaction inside you,making you feel more better and quite heals you some where.
I have depression and it’s hard… Mostly because I don’t have a reason or trigger… It runs in the family… My grandpa, mom and elder brother have faced similar issues… It’s really exhausting..
Mental health is really important. No one wants to talk about it publicly, but thanks to youfor taking the initiative. Love this detailed post
Why we need events like Sushant’s to realize the importance of mental health and the importance of being there for others no matters what? Why cant we make it a habit of checking on our dear ones’s , see if they are doing fine. Ask them if they want to talk or may be just being there.
Mental Health has been brushed under the carpet for way too long now. It’s time to talk about it openly so that it is not treated like a stigma anymore. Glad you wrote this post, Dr Bushra, it will help those suffering in silence to realize that that they need not suffer anymore.
A right pick topic for current incident this is so sad about his death… Mental health counts everyone should support each other as it’s really important to know what’s going on in our loved ones life.. Well written..
An exhaustive post buddy and I am so glad you chose to pen this down. I know how it feels have seen someone very close battling it, it was difficult to fathom his pain. I am glad though he took help.
I think the issue is that people don’t know what “mental health” is. It should start from here. About time that the stigma should break.
Yeah! It is really sad how people are talking about that person who is no more in under suspicious conditions. We should respect the humanitarian value at least and try to speak and contact the person when he is alive.
Mental health is really important and must to take care I have been through it and it’s really hard to stay alone at times it’s better to talk with someone
Depression troubles from within and it’s not easy for the person to truly express it everytime. Being compassionate and encouraging them to get professional help is the responsible thing to do.
Mental health is an often ignored yet extremely important topic that must be brought out in the open. I really appreciate your in depth and informative post on this subject.
It’ so important to understand that mental health is something we need to talk and understand. it should not be ignored at any cost!!
Thank you for sharing this. The topic is very closer to my heart, Most women in our country put other peoples’ needs above their own. Self love and self care build mindfulness, awareness and an ease to identify one’s mental wellbeing. Thanks once again for writing about this topic.
I agree with you, Dr. Bushra, it is time that we focus on mental health issues and spread more and more awareness about it. We should talk about it like any other disease, there shouldn’t be any social stigma attached to it. Thanks for writing this post and starting the conversation.
I agree mental health is not a subject to shy away anymore we need to openly come out and discuss the matter wothout making the victim of depression and mental health feel bad,
i agree with you that we need to talk about mental health. we need to remove the stigma and the taboo around this subject. the only way to really manage this is by normalising the issue and then helping people get the help they need to manage their mental healths.
Mental health has to be considered more seriously. There are people who feel ashamed to address these issues but they should know uts nothing to feel ashamed of.
The news of his death has created a stir. Ofcourse media has hit a new low and many people have come up with their own theories of his death which is truly sad. The main issue of mental health is somewhere ignored by all. We got to understand the issue and help people around instead of being just rumour mongers
Mental health is very important. We should talk about this but we can’t because of the arrogant society.. thanks for your initiative..
The social Taboo related with mental health is so huge people who have resources and connections also hide due to the pressure. Time we change this habit
nice post
this post very useful for me