Our approach involves several key initiatives to address
the challenges faced by India’s mental health system.
I still remember in high school my very close friend telling me “My (Taijee) Aunt is being weird. My grandma says, she has lost her mind.”
The reason was that he had seen his Taijee lay in bed all the time. She would not come out of her room. This is the same Taijee he had once told me, “Takes me out to the movies and makes me have a lot of fun.” I had not made much of it but found out a few weeks later she had tried to tie a dupatta around her neck. Then I heard she has been crying a lot.Then heard she has gone to her parents and brother’s home I do not recollect what happened to her after that but what was described as ‘weird’ ‘lost her mind’. I now know were serious bouts of anxiety and for depression.
This happened at least 47 years ago but not much has changed since then in India. People are more comfortable talking about ‘having gas’, ‘digestive issues’, ‘physical pain’ and even ‘piles or haemorrhoids’ than they feel at ease discussion mental anguish and mental pain. We must change this thought process. We have to change this individually and in family first. Only then we will be able to change in India. To make this change we need to make it easy for people to ‘talk’ their heart out. Talk at least their real feelings to professionals without the fear of being judged.
These talks need to happen as simple ‘calls’ from the privacy and safety of their own homes, even cars or workplace. To make this as convenient as making a call from your smart phone we have brought “ChatADoc” to India.. By simply logging into ChatADoc app and choosing a time of convenience anyone from anywhere can set up a time and talk to a qualified counsellor, psychologist and even a psychiatrist.
It never is and never will be easy to lose a loved one, face a trauma etc and carry the emotional baggage along with us for the rest of our lives. Instead of carrying these varied intense emotions along with anxiety and depression as “part of my personality”, let Mannkaa allow you to open up and chat your heart out.
Talking alone helps. Talking to someone who can heal you and not judging you helps a lot more. And when assured we are getting a space where there is absolute privacy, and we do not need to pretend, it just can become easier to fight back our demons with ease and take control over of thoughts and everyday living.
Help yourself by opening up and being free. We can help.
Kahiye apne Mann ki baat
From the diaries of
Dr. Dev Anuroop Brar
Founder and CEO, Mannkaa (formerly ChatADoc)
Product of Source of Life Technologies (India)
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