Sarala questions why mental disorders are stigmatised in India, in this prose poem on social awareness, exclusively for Different Truths.

In today’s world, the second killer next to heart attack is depression.
 
Pressures from parents and teachers make hell for the young hearts. Unable to cope up with 
studies they shy away from all. 
 
There are many kinds of mental disorders, depression, extroverts, introverts, panic attacks, 
bipolar, schizophrenia, suicidal tendencies, to name a few.
 
We Indians feel seeking help from a clinical psychologist and a psychiatrist is madness. There is 
a stigma attached to mental disorders. Just like the body, why can’t the mind get ill 
due to pressures of life. 
 
Joblessness is another factor as the family is hungry and the man of the house has no job, and this 
kills him slowly but surely. 
 
As the parents feel a change in the mood of their children, they should immediately consult a 
clinical psychologist and few sittings may bring good results.
 
Teenage love is another cause as they don’t know the difference between infatuation and love and 
succumb to teenage pregnancy and resultant depression. It’s the duty of the parents to teach 
children about this issue when girls reach puberty, which will help them to be cautious.

Visual by Different Truths

Sarala Balachandran

Sarala Balachandran was working with an import-export organisation in the administrative department for 38 years. She retired eleven years back. Married, with two sons aged 43 and 36, she took interest in writing recently. She writes free verses.