Shove the Stigma — Restore the wellbeing
It’s okay to be not okay
Mental illnesses have a stigma around them that many people despite having the awareness of their needs refuse to acknowledge and hence avail help. Most don’t even label it as mental illness. But lack of mental or emotional well-being is not a taboo.
To me, it’s the cancer of the mind, and with the right treatment whatever that might work for one, it can be cured and prevented. The willingness should come from the individual and it is vital to have some support. It’s hard to go through such alone, and some love sprinkles alone the way will help accelerate the healing.
When I was growing up, it was evident that any mental ailment was construed as madness, and as a curse of the Gods. Very few survived without hurting themselves or others. It was never okay to be not okay!
A few years back, there came a point when I under the suggestion of a relative, decided to talk to a therapist about a fear I had — fear of driving. Some other relatives warned me about going to a professional.
Don’t overthink!
Don’t over analyze!
Oh! Just start driving!
They (mental health professionals) will claim all kinds of illnesses to rip you off!
A foggy mind, a choking fear and several insane advices later, I decided to go for it still! My spouse was fully supportive. I knew a very close acquaintance was a family therapist. I wanted to go to her. Again, people around me advised against me going to a known person — a friend. But I still went. That was one of the best decisions of my life.
There’s a thirst to get better and I’ve started identifying the areas I need to grow in or grow out off. The feeling is exhilarating — a desire to get better, an urge to become emotional well again. It wasn’t easy, not driving, working in an extremely demanding tech company, with a young family. But I had to do what’s best for my well-being.
Here’s an article from HuffPost that talks about the topic of workplace conversations around mental health.
It’s okay to be not okay. It’s okay to acknowledge that. It’s okay to want to be okay. It’s okay to take charge of being okay.
