Modernization and globalization have not only helped India open its doors to the world, but have also helped Indians achieve a better standard of living. A steady rise in income and the need to be closer to their workplace has pushed a lot of families to move out of the well established joint family set up and into nuclear families.
Moving to roomier quarters brings with it an underlying issue of isolation. Parents go to work and the kids go to school and when they get back there isn’t communication but rather small talk. Take this with a pinch of salt but we as Indians tend to keep our problems to ourselves. We do not confront the issue but hope that it goes away. That false sense of hope is why we push these problems to the back of our mind and hope it stays there.
The reason we are talking about this is because it is World Health Day and the subject of discussion this year is Depression. The news keeps going on about how the population is expanding at such a rapid pace, but did you know that every 40 seconds someone commits suicide.
“Depression affects people of all ages from all walks of life, in all countries. It causes mental anguish and impacts people’s ability to carry out even the simplest everyday tasks, with devastating consequences for relationships with family and friends and the ability to earn a living,” the WHO said on its website
The goal this year is to create awareness about depression and that it can be treated. Depression is not just sadness but a mix of sadness, hopelessness and loneliness. It affects the person mentally, physically and emotionally and causes lack of appetite, insomnia and a feeling of self-loathing and isolation. Some people are good at being able to put aside feeling and attended to the task at hand but when they are left alone with no distractions their nightmares start. Now as a parent, friend or family member remember that it is always okay to ask, you are not making it worse.
Do keep in mind that you have to show empathy and understanding because 70% of mental illness starts during childhood and early intervention can help introduce coping strategies that can help kids to improve their mental well-being.
Always remember that someone might be fighting depression every single day but hiding their pain behind a smile.
A Simple “How Do You Feel Today?” Goes A Long Way.
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