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.
…“Oh, this is just me being a teenager.” Little did I know it was something serious… I was too young to feel this sadness, right? I mean a 15-year-old girl who basically had the world handed to her shouldn’t feel this bad right? I have a loving family, a roof over my head, and amazing friends. So what was wrong? I didn’t know at the time so, I just kind of ignored all my feelings. I was conditioned to think that my problems aren’t serious because, well, others have it worse. Bottled-up emotions, I learned, aren’t good for anyone, especially not for yourself. I soon started taking my sadness and anger out on myself through self-harm. The pain made me forget about the other pain I was feeling. But, someone came into my life and changed all of that. He made me realize that my feelings were valid and that I shouldn’t be ashamed of the way I feel. He helped me learn that just because “others have it worse” doesn’t make my feelings any less real. Today, I still struggle with depression but I am no longer afraid to speak out about it. I want to talk about it and let others know that it isn’t something to be ashamed of.
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.
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When I was five years old, I was blessed with a baby brother. His name was Vikas. His life story was riddled with brain surgeries...
...asking for help. Whether I was struggling to solve a math problem at school or trying to reach the highest shelf in the kitchen...
...my identity as an Indo-American. How could I not be? I enjoy the freedom and liberty awarded to inhabitants of the USA...
From 2003 to 2015, 76 teens died by suicide in my hometown of San Jose, California. During the same time, Palo Alto’s youth suicide rate...
MannMukti pledges to serve all South Asians, recognizing the power hierarchies in our communities, created and maintained by different identities of caste, language, geography, gender, sexuality, and religion that shape individuals’ obstacles while seeking mental liberation.
