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.
My struggle with mental health began at an early age. It wasn’t until I started learning more about mental illnesses and mental well being that I realized I had been struggling with general anxiety and depression for a long time. The paradigm shift between understanding mental health and mental illnesses as issues and not just “who I was” or as “just being emotional” took a lot of effort. Dealing with mental illness or bad mental health wasn’t easy then, and still isn’t easy now. Finding people in a culture that doesn’t really acknowledge mental issues as problems is challenging and leads to greater insecurities and personal issues. When the people closest to you think you’re just being dramatic or don’t really understand what you’re going through it leaves you in a tough place. Be the friend that educates themselves and starts that conversation.
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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Anorexia. Listen Baba, listen to the word.It’s an ugly word, you say, your eyes shut, head turned away. I don’t like that word. Divorce.
I always feared that I would be called weak if I expressed any vulnerability. So instead, I put on a “strong” face at all times...
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...
“One hundred pounds” the doctor read off the scale. I looked over to see my mother smiling in approval. The doctor, however...
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.
