The Shards of a Broken Glass

 

Wait, wait, wait. Hold up. Before you start reading....take a minute, introspect and ask yourself whether you are a healthy human being, living in a healthy society.

Sure, most of you are not diagnosed with any disease right now, your sugar levels are completely in check and your BMI falls in the "healthy" range.

However, that's not the end of it. 

'Health', as a whole, encompasses each one of our physical, social and mental attributes, all three of them being equally essential for one's well-being.

And right now, when the world is shrouded with the terror of an ongoing pandemic, it is crucial that we finally shift our focus onto a neglected aspect of human survival- Mental Health.

"What mental health needs, 

Is more Sunlight, more Candor,

And more Unashamed conversation."

                                              -Glenn Close

Mental health, as a topic, has seldom been considered significant enough to be addressed, and has acquired the status of a taboo in our society. But the more damaging downside is how the alienation of this subject has given rise to mental illnesses throughout the span of mankind. Moreover, the oblivious behaviour shown towards mental disorders by those around us has resulted in people shying away from coming out with their issues. 

When we suffer a physical injury, or even the slightest of discomforts in our body functions, we make immediate efforts to counter the problem. We medicate ourselves with pills, we ensure that everybody comes to know (sympathy much?) and we do not hesitate from approaching doctors and experts.

But when we undergo a mental setback, why do we refrain from seeking help?

Why do we mute ourselves when it comes to defending our peace of mind??

I'll tell you why.

It's because the society around us has ruthlessly stigmatized the theme of mental health and illnesses. All the orthodox and conservative minds of today's world have labelled the discussion revolving around this theme to be untouchable, pretending as if it is illegal to support the fight for a mentally healthy lifestyle.

The words "Anxiety" and "Depression" hold no concrete meaning in the eyes of the unaffected. Nonetheless, it is extremely crucial to realise how these two words have massively impacted more than half the population around the world, and are not just the part of a joke anymore.They are certified medical disorders, which, if gone untreated, can turn out to be problematic and even fatal.

"Something sinister in the tone

Told me my secret must be know:

Word I was in the house alone

Somehow must have gotten abroad,

Word I was in my life alone,

Word I had no one left but God."

                                        - Robert Frost.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the daily hustle bustle of our work and school lives, the responsibilities that come along with it and the huge amount of work load, had left us struggling to optimally balance our professional and family lives. We were caught in a complex and vicious snare of getting to the finish line as soon as possible. This tumultuous and miserable rat race adversely affected our inner peace of mind, leaving no scope for us to pay heed to our receding mental stability (can't hide the facts).

After Corona hit us, the ascension in the number of cases of mental disorders was astounding indeed. Being secluded inside the four walls of our homes, for an extended period of 3-4 months, away from the much needed physical interactions with our loved ones, did not turn out to be easy. At all.

And although,  being mentally subdued is a considerable phenomenon seen in the adult age group as well, it is vital to know that teenagers are at their most vulnerable stage in life, and are going through much more than the others.

The stress that arises from the ever-increasing competition in this fast paced world, the top-notch expectations laid upon our tender shoulders and the turbulent mish-mash of feelings within us has left us defeated and what you call "messed-up". Additionally, this lockdown, which had initially provided us a period of rejuvenation, is now chelating us, and understandably so...what with the absence of venting out to our friends and reaching out to our teachers. What we need is paternal and fraternal support, clarity of thought and someone who understands us.

I reckon a majority of the adults reading this would be chuckling...and that's where they falter in providing the youth of their kin a steady support system. 

So this is an "FYI" for all those oblivious people out there :- Heartbreak is real. The hurt that comes with losing a friend exists. The pain that makes us stay up all night, crying with nothing but our broken-selves, from being cheated upon, lied to and taunted by those we love, is a part and parcel of our lives.

And it is not to be taken lightly. 

Nevertheless, anxiety and other psychological maladies in all age groups need to be regarded pertinent, and ought to be brought into the limelight. Ignoring and hiding the truth behind the curtains will not lead us anywhere. Creating a laughing stock out of people who brave each day even with a boatload of their personal struggles, and disguising their troubles under the "insanity" and "psychotic" tags...is not cool. It doesn't make you any stronger or more stable than them. On the contrary, it speaks volumes about your maturity.

 Hence, I humbly request each one of you to bring the elephant out of the closet now, and actually talk to those around you about anything that's the cause of yours and their pangs. 

Because it's high time we grow up. It's high time we downright face what's troubling us, rather than running away. It's high time we come to terms with the fact, that mental illnesses and disorders are not tainted. Our brain requires as much attention as the rest of our stature does, making it imperative for us to nurture it, giving it what it calls for.

And last but not the least, here's a shout out to all my brave hearts, who strive to make each moment count for themselves. You are brave and strong.You have been through the toughest of times, and are still marching on like a true warrior. Kudos to you for courageously treading this rocky, unpredictable path , all on your own, and valiantly battling your own emotions...which in my perception, is the hardest battle of all. I respect you, I understand you, and I am here for you. And I assure you, that you will heal. Just keep going.....with a few people to open yourselves up to, a journal to pour your heart out into, occasional breaths of fresh air, and a few yoga moves up your sleeve....and you'll be there in no time. What's important is to never give up. Remember that you are not alone. We all are in this, intertwined to the core.

We are nothing but the shards of a broken glass, and when we all come together, I promise you, we'll reflect the brightest of the lights. 

Signing off in love, peace, hope and awesomeness.

By- 
Tiara Arora
Class XII
cleopatratia18@gmail.com