The world is evolving and there has been a lot of talk on the importance of mental health and the need to seek therapy. However, in many desi houses, mental health is still a taboo and not enough attention is paid to it.
Desi parents often label their kid’s depressed or anxious symptoms as ‘nakhray’ and conveniently ignore it.
If their kid constantly complains about anything or goes completely silent, they take it as a mere behavioral issue.
Most of them think of therapy as ‘being put on sedatives’. This taboo stops them from seeking professional help or letting her children seek one.
The idea of being called ‘pagal’ (mad) for taking a counsellor’s help discourages them to go for one. Desi parents care more about what the ‘society’ will think of them than what needs to be done.
Constant pressure for achieving high grades is a major cause of high-stress levels amongst students. However, desi parents still need to realize the damage it is causing to their mental well-being.
The stigma that revolves around the mental health care needs to go away going to a psychologist or psychiatrist needs to be normalized. It is the 21St century and it is high time desi families realize taking care of mental health is as equally important as physical health. Just praying or eating healthy won’t make it go away, just like one’s belly.
