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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It’s a dangerous game I play – pushing, no punishing, myself to my mental limit. There is a kind of pain, that is perilous...
There is a lot I have dreamt of doing, but my choices for short-term gratification have somewhat impeded me from reaching those goals.
I was in a constant state of anger and panic, even when I was laughing with friends. There was always this seemingly irrational fear...
I’ve always believed in love. And now I’ve had it returned to me in kind but there was a long period of time in my life...
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.
