“Depression is being colourblind and being told how colourful the world is”, says Atticus, a Canadian poet; not quite a statement our country may comprehend, as for far too long, the Indian society has been under immense scrutiny due to its dismissive, and rather ignorant stance on mental disorders, with depression being an explicit example. The Indian perception of depression is plagued by a stereotype that blatantly deems those suffering as “paagal”. Further, those who are in dire need of help are made to feel culpable about their mental condition, by the everlasting question of “log kya kahenge”; a rather disturbing thought process from a country where, as per a report by the World Health Organization, no less than 36% of the population lives with mental disorders, with respect to a global aggregate of 300 million battlers of depression. Parallel to this stance, runs a thought that suggests that a depressed person is simply, ‘ungrateful’ or ‘self-oriented’.
Fortunately, in the recent past, people and their allied organizations have brought this issue to light, with Deepika Padukone’s ‘Live Love Laugh’ being an outstanding example of what kind of platforms are required to voice the plight of the depressed. Many have been inspired to recount their experiences on video. Subsequently, with more and more people coming out with their stories, mental depression is becoming a topic of discussion that the society no longer shies away from, and is speaking about openly.
Does this mean that we have a solution to our problem? Not quite, for it is worth debating whether or not simply clearing the air and openly speaking about depression means that the society understands what it is, and the depth at which this psychological demon plagues the human mind.
Despite a number of persistent attempts on part of psychologists, social workers and psychiatrists, the society doesn’t seem to have gathered what depression is, and to what magnitude it may affect the neurology of one’s body. Instead, those who speak of depression in the community seem to have painted it in another colour altogether, and suggest that it is something that one can simply “snap out of” or “get over with”. Depression isn’t something one can merely wish away, and impolite and offhand statements such as ”count your blessings” or “quit thinking about it” fuel a deep seated sentiment of incompetence, helplessness, and emptiness. These statements blatantly trivialize the plight of the battlers, and carry a certain element of guilt and shame with them. This can only result in a troubled mind feeling at fault for being in such a state.
However, that is not to say that anyone who may pass such comments is trying to mask his/her ignorance or disbelief. Inexperience of a mental state as distressing as depression can speak volumes when one is describing their perception of the disease; and there, is the Catch 22.
A mind that is free of such agony simply cannot understand, relate, or be empathetic towards the plight of those suffering from this prolonged condition; which brings us to the burning question, “What can we, as a society do for our those who are suffering from this malaise?”
Unfortunately, very little. It is only natural for a mind in a fragile state such as this to be erratic at times. At one instant, it demands space, at the other, it begs for empathy and affection.
As a bare minimum, one can try to be more accommodative, and attentive to the needs of the sufferers, and take caution as to not take their emotional fluxes personally.
Be sensitive to the complexes that you don’t understand. Change your responses of “You need help” to “How can I help?”. It may not ease the pain of the person, but it may ease him into talking about it. In a first, it may make him readyto talk about it.
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