Why we should talk about Mental health, as when it comes to talking about any form of Mental Illness in our society, it simply leads those raising eyebrows, Shuu…Shhh.. and whispers surrounding one of the most taboo-ist reality we co-exist with.

Depression has no face but depression is for real. I repeat. The struggle is real and even doing mundane tasks like getting out of the bed and having a bath becomes like a cumbersome task for an individual.

Depression is not sadness, like it appears to be for many; It is not synonymous with being lazy or laid back. Sadness could last for a while, for a day but the feeling of depression could last a little longer, maybe months or years. 

Mental Health Matters

Depression differs with different people, it is hard to believe that a person is even struggling hard to get up from the bed every morning, no not because he is lazy but because it traps him inside his mind, he is struggling and hustling every day. Trying to fight his inner demons every day.

Depression is not a choice we make but a daily deal we try to crack with ourselves to come out of it. A person posting amazing selfies on social media might go through depression and anxiety. We are perfect at hiding our scars. We wear masks when we are in public and especially if we are dealing with a mental illness.

Mental illness is just like any other illness but just because of the lowest level of acceptance for mental health issues and the ignorance it gets, people fear opening up. People fear getting labeled like, crazy, crack-pot or insane. These feelings of disgust, emptiness, a deep hollowness are beyond any definition.

A person going through a panic attack, anxiety attack might be the one whom you met a few hours before and was sounding joyous to you and within a few hours, the very same person might appear to be all jittery because of panic attacks.

It is a very crucial situation; it kills one slowly. Mental health needs attention to priority. It is high time we speak about it; we have been into hiding and have been suppressing how we feel and why we feel so. The feelings need not have a valid justification or explanation, sometimes it is just the naïve feeling without any reason which affects us badly internally and externally.

As a Mental Health Awareness Blogger, I insist people open up and seek help, rather yell for help. If you find someone going through this phase in life be there for them, but do not give false hopes, be an active listener and try to understand if necessary signpost the individual to seek medical help.

Signs of depression vary from person to person, but there are some common signs and symptoms that we can understand. We can save a tragedy if we try to be less ignorant and more empathetic.

Ten Signs when you know a person might be facing some Mental Health issues and how we can be of help :

1) Change in behaviour

A person might not sound his usual self when he is under depression, before making someone else understands, the individual himself takes time to process what is happening to him. Which leads to irritability and agitated behaviour.

2) Avoiding social contacts

An individual dealing with depression prefers to stay alone because pretending to be normal or happy all the time makes him sicker. He or she just wants to be at the moment and try to figure out what is happening and why it is happening. 

In such a stance meeting with people makes one feel socially awkward.

3) Loss of appetite

Mental illness is no different from any other illness the only major difference is that it directly relates to a neurological disorder. 

An individual might not feel hungry at all or might overeat when in depression. These could be signs of an eating disorder, which becomes a way of coping with such mental illness.

4) Disturbed sleeping patterns

A high level of stress and mental disturbance could lead to a disturbance in the sleep patterns of an individual. Disturbed sleep cycles can affect health very badly. When you notice such a sign, talk.

5) Loss of interest in routine work

Nothing sparks joy, everything seems to be pale and monotonous. You no more enjoy doing what you loved doing once, like painting, singing or even cooking. 

If it is temporary due to workload then it is normal but if a person shows the least interest in any such activities anymore, it could be a matter of concern.

6) Low energy

You don’t feel like doing anything. You always feel tired, drained out and fatigued. 

You are simply dragging yourself to even accomplish simple tasks of the day and do not do things willfully.

7) Anger and frustration

An increased rise in the anger and frustration level. Everything gets into your nerves, you explode without any reason. 

Sometimes you are not even present in the moment and you over-react, you might mind is stressed out badly.

8) Unable to concentrate

You lose your concentration power; you forget things. YOu cannot draw your attention to one particular thing. 

Nothing interests you for too long, even small decisions like buying groceries becomes difficult for you to put it into action.

9) Increase in physical stress

Due to loss in mental energy or emotional level, your body gets drained out of all the positive energy and it starts affecting your outer self.

You feel dull, tires and even experience body aches, mild headaches, heavy head all the time. You never feel fresh.

10) Isolation

A person might go into complete isolation and shut down himself from coming in contact with anybody. He gets a feeling that no one understands what he is going through and people around also leaves it that way; he avoids any physical contact.

Be there. Be aware, we might save a tragedy or even try to help ourselves. As per WHO (World Health Organization) 330 million people worldwide are suffering from some or the other form of mental illness. It is also reported that one out of every four people we meet is too much stressed or depressed. Depression left untreated, can become a serious health condition.

Much love and gratitude

Priyanka Nair