Karekha: Shakti perspectives

I think I had depression years before I was diagnosed with it when I was 18. Because I am from a culture where silence is golden and mental health is never spoken of and having an introvert personality, I suffered in silence. Even when my parents knew there was something wrong with me. I still remember very clearly till today, my mother was told me 'What will other people think?'.

It broke my heart. Nevertheless, life carried on but the burden I carried with me got heavier and heavier every day. My parents thought sending me to Australia to study would end the cycle but the problem was never dealt with. From an environment where people look down at you for having mental health and calling you names behind my back, I was suddenly in a culture where it is ok to feel how I was feeling, I was confused. It became a roller coaster journey of seeking help, taking medications that made me feel worse while having supportive and un-supportive friends that for years I thought suicide was only option out. All I ever imagined all those years was me feeling free from sadness and trapped in my own thoughts. It has been one year now and till this very day, I still cannot believe that I am depression free. Who knew I could actually be in this state of mind? It was my mission a long time ago to be an example that you can come out from depression and be free from suicide and it wouldn't have happened if it weren't for my friends and lots of courage and strength to face my inner demons. If you are currently suffering from mental health, let me tell you something, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

You have so much strength, courage and love within yourself that your mind tricks into thinking that you do not have. Keep Fighting! I think what is lacking in every society is the knowledge on how to help someone in crisis. There are so many good people out there that wants to help but they do not know how to and this is where the journey should start.