
I have had an incredibly long and difficult journey with mental health and neurological issues over the past 42 years. On top of it...
If you are having suicidal thoughts or feelings, contact 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or a qualified physician / mental health professional immediately.
Insane. Crazy. Mad. Unhealthy. Abnormal. These words follow me around everyday, everywhere. They’re carved into my skin, sewed into my clothes, combed into my hair. They penetrate the bubble that separates me from a harsh society.
When we first learn to walk, our parents tell us that we’re bound to fall. So, when we experience trauma, why does society reprimand us for breaking down? How are the circumstances any different?
Though the experiences I’ve faced have been difficult to process, the trauma from being reprimanded by society has taken a lasting toll on my mental health. Putting on a mask to hide the tears, posting smiling faces on social media to ensure my “audience” that I am “thriving”.
I’m not thriving. I’m feeling drained. I’m feeling paranoid, confused, neglected. I’m feeling unsafe, misunderstood, unheard. So instead of scolding me for falling down, what if society smiled because I tried? Instead of keeping me down, what if society encouraged me to try again?
And I can only hope that you will do the same for me and together, we can smile for the people who try, and encourage those who feel like giving up because they feel insane, crazy, mad, unhealthy, abnormal.
In alignment with our mission to encourage others to #SpeakUp about mental health, we’ve created this blog – a passion project highlighting those who wish to share their stories with the world.
Open to anyone, the series features personal anecdotes from members of the South Asian community who have struggled with mental illness – and the stigma that comes along with it.
To submit your story, click here.
Get the latest MannMukti news and volunteer opportunities straight to your inbox!
I have had an incredibly long and difficult journey with mental health and neurological issues over the past 42 years. On top of it...
My mother is physically and psychologically abusive toward me. Her mother and father were the same way toward her and her sister...
My story begins when I was 10 years old. This was the year I found a suicide note written by someone close to me. This person never...
...So is depression. And suicide. Especially in the Indian American community, there is a tendency to pretend that these things are not...