World Mental Health Day 2018: How celebs acknowledging mental health has made a difference

Imagine a young woman standing at the balcony of a flat on the 15th floor and staring into the abyss below and contemplating jumping. She pulls back but the thought remains and a few days later she jumps. Now, imagine another young woman who gets the same urges, but seeks a mental health professional to share her conflict, all thanks to an Anushka Sharma, Karan Johar, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone or Shama Sikander coming out in the open and talking about the issues.

Rising awareness When in 2015, Deepika spoke about dealing with depression it broke the thick silence the industry had always maintained about the mental health issues of its members. And it led many people to open up about their issues and seek help. It seemed to dislodge the stigma associated with mental health issues.

Celebrities can play a major role in raising awareness about these issues because they have a captive audience and the ear of the authorities as well.

According to renowned psychiatrist Dr Harish Shetty, “Celebrities talking about mental health makes a big impact. As Deepika set the ball rolling, many have come to me saying that they too have the same illness as she has. It has a terrific impact.” When asked about the rare case of celebrities talking to seek attention, Dr Shetty has a valid point. “People can differentiate between celebrities who share genuine concerns and those who just want to make a splash.”
Actress Shama Sikander, whose latest web series ‘Ab Dil ki Sunn’ aims to get the discussion about mental illnesses rolling, revealed her struggles with bipolar disorder and her attempt at suicide in 2016, has regularly discussed her mental health issues. She, though, understands if some celebs don’t reveal their innermost demons. “I know that celebrities might have the fear of being judged. I never had that so I went ahead and spoke about it. We actors are continuously living other lives, being another person, and so much tampering with your emotions can be harmful. I bet most actors are suffering from depression, bipolar disorder or some or the other kind of mental stress. I would appeal to all actors to accept their inner struggles and speak out aloud. Hats off to all those who have already! It only empowers them.”

The signs
But how does anyone understand that what they are experiencing isn’t just the ‘blues’ or ‘stress’, but something more dangerous and deeper? Dr Shetty says that changes in behaviour can hint at mental health issues.
Shama shares her own experience to explain the situation. She reveals that from being a well-behaved child, she turned snappy and angry. “I just had this sinking feeling that I couldn’t take it any more and then I tried to commit suicide one day. I had bipolar disorder and depression together; that makes you feel extremely low in your life. I didn’t want to wake up like that. I was just tired of everything, I couldn’t sleep and that is a huge issue. It affected my work too.”

Seek help
Realising one has a mental health issue may be half the battle won, but the other half still remains to be fought. For that you need professional help. Another aspect of the healing process is including your loved ones in it. Remember, they are usually the first targets of your behavioural changes. It is important to have open conversations with them, explain your ailment.
As Shama explains, “Try and explain to them what you’re going through. Even if they don’t seem to understand at that moment, they will ultimately if they love you.” But ultimately, you are your biggest support. All you have got to do is believe in yourself and hang on.

Be selfish
Her advice to people suffering from mental health issues is ‘Be selfish’. She says, “Give importance to only those things which makes you happy. If it makes you feel selfish for some time, then be selfish. You’re going through a situation because for the longest time you didn’t do anything for your real self. Take the time to do something for yourself and do it without any guilt. You deserve it. Stay strong and know that you’re stronger than what you’re going through. Keep telling yourself that you’re beautiful and that you love yourself. It’s a great exercise, believe me, it has helped me.”

Small steps
Dr Shetty believes, “Celebrities could talk on public forums, do films dealing with the mental health themes for creating more awareness… also lobby with the government to get more facilities for the ill. They can also help collect private funds for building facilities to assist mental health issues.”
The actress though hopes that the government too steps in and helps. She said, “The government first needs to realise that this is a problem and a big one at that. I appeal to them to have more meditation centres, to give people free medication and treatments because they are very expensive. Not everyone can afford it.” Mental health and illnesses are a sore reality of the stressful lives we all lead. Let’s judge less, accept each other as we are a lot more, and seek all the help we need.

Look out for these changes in your or your loved ones’ behaviour. If you spot them, contacting a mental health professional is a good idea.
If a person…
Turns quieter than usual
Is more withdrawn
Is comparatively more irritable or angry than before
Has sleep and/or appetite issues
Discusses hearing imaginary voices
Is feeling hopeless and/or worthless
Speaks of wanting to die
Is spending excessively…see a mental health person now!

 

A few good habits that propagate good mental health…
Exercise
Good sleep
Right diet
Support system of family and friends
Maintaining emotional hygiene