It was dark all around. I was shivering, my throat went dry, I was
feeling as if everything is gonna finish.
But I couldn't tell this to anyone, thinking that no one would believe
me. "Why wouldn't anyone understand this?" Because mental health?
What? Does it exist? It does but not for my family. Mental health is not
a thing in the society where I move in. Taking of mental health health
is like talking about living on sun. They will assume that I am acting
to avoid my studies.
But one day, burn out happened and my family got to know about my mental
health. Obviously, they took their time to understand and accept the
fact that I am a psychiatric patient. It was a shame for them. I was
told not to tell anyone about this.
And here I am writing blog about this.
It's a blog on mental health and the struggles of living with it in a
society that often dismisses its importance. I never thought I’d be in a
position to speak out about my journey, but here I am, using this blog
as my outlet. The world is quick to label what’s “normal” and
“acceptable,” but it’s time to talk about what’s not. It’s time to give
a voice to those who suffer in silence, whether it’s anxiety,
depression, or any other mental health challenge that isn’t always
visible.
My family still struggles with the idea of me being a psychiatric
patient. They don’t understand why I can’t just “snap out of it” or why
my mind feels like an endless storm sometimes. But this blog, my words,
they’re for me. And they’re for anyone who feels alone in this. You
don’t have to hide. Mental health isn’t a taboo; it’s a reality.
For years, I felt like I was carrying a weight I couldn’t share. Any
sign of emotional distress was dismissed as “drama” or “laziness.” I was
told, “You’re just overthinking,” or “You have everything you need;
what’s there to be upset about?” This ignorance wasn’t just in my
family—it extended to friends, teachers, neighbors, and even casual
acquaintances. Everyone seemed to share the same mindset: If they
couldn’t see my pain, then it must not exist.
But let’s talk about what they didn’t see. They didn’t see the
sleepless nights, the days I couldn’t get out of bed, or the
overwhelming fear that came out of nowhere. They didn’t see how I’d
break down in private, unable to pinpoint why I felt the way I did. They
didn’t see the self-blame, the spiraling thoughts, or the exhaustion
from pretending to be “fine.” They didn’t understand how terrifying it
was to feel like I was losing control over my own mind.
Things changed—or rather, came to a head—when I hit burnout. My body and
mind just gave up. I couldn’t fake it anymore. That’s when my family had
no choice but to confront the truth: I was struggling, and I needed
help.
Acceptance didn’t come easily.
At first, they were shocked. They wondered where they had gone wrong.
There was a lot of denial, a lot of “But you don’t look sick” and “Why
can’t you just be strong?” It hurt to see them struggle with my reality,
but I knew I couldn’t blame them entirely. Mental health was never a
topic of discussion in their generation. To them, it was something
“foreign,” something that happened to “other people.”
But over time, they began to learn. They started asking questions and
listening more. They saw the difference that therapy and support made in
my life. It’s still a work in progress, and I won’t lie—there are days
when they still don’t fully understand. But the fact that they’re trying
means the world to me.
Why am I sharing this?
Because I know there are so many others out there like me—people who
feel trapped by stigma, afraid to seek help or even acknowledge their
struggles. I want you to know that it’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay
to prioritize your mental health, even if the world around you refuses
to understand it.
Talking about mental health isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a step toward
strength. The more we share our stories, the more we chip away at the
walls of stigma. Every conversation, every blog post, every small act of
vulnerability matters. It’s how we create change, one step at a time.
What can you do?
If you’re struggling, please don’t wait until burnout forces you to
confront your pain. Reach out for help—whether it’s a friend, a family
member, a therapist, or even an online community. You don’t have to go
through this alone. And if you’re someone who doesn’t quite “get” mental
health yet, start by listening. You don’t have to have all the answers;
you just need to be there.
Breaking the stigma is a collective effort. Together, we can make
mental health conversations as normal as talking about physical health.
We can build a society where no one feels ashamed to seek help or speak
up. It starts with small steps—like this blog.
So here’s to being brave, to speaking up, and to breaking the silence.
Let’s make mental health a priority, not an afterthought. Let’s create a
world where we no longer have to hide.
