And the best part is there are conferences, discussions, and social media vigorously talks about mental health. But, the sad part is that when we go on the ground, meet people, as well as in our support groups like
Caregivers' meet, and Hope Cafe (our online listening circle), the participants share that their biggest challenge is often to get acceptance from family, and loved ones.
So, the question is - have we accepted mental health as an integral part of our health? Have our perceptions changed about mental health?
According to me, the truth is stranger than what we can even think of. Acceptance is a word that does not exist in the dictionary of many. Mental illness is still a taboo word. Stigma exists.
We still have a long way to go.
And at Swayam Foundation our efforts are to create awareness through media activism, advocacy, and a culture of care through our support groups and training people to be the first responders.
(She is the Founder-President, Swayam Foundation; Independent Journalist-Author-Filmmaker)
