Mental Health

Mental health encompasses our emotions, thoughts, and overall well-being, shaping how we connect with others. In South Asian communities, cultural stigma often frames mental illnesses as weaknesses or spiritual issues, leaving nearly 80% of cases untreated. This underscores the need for culturally informed education and accessible care.

Although social media has led to more information about mental health disorders out there, it has led people to believe things that they see on the internet which is affecting them negatively. For example, depression is not just sadness, it is much more.

Most Indians either dismiss the fact that mental health disorders are real and psychical disorders, or they heavily discriminate toward them. This leads to the stigma surrounding mental illness and often stems from misconceptions, fear, and a lack of awareness.

Traditional cultural beliefs seek help through spiritual factors as opposed to mental health professionals.

Note: Poor mental health can lead to poor physical health. It can lead you to performing actions that can harm you or those around you.

Stats/Prevalence:

In 2022, over 1 million suicides were reported in India, with 7.6% attributed to students, reflecting the pressure of academic and societal expectations. This, alongside the fact that millions live with undiagnosed or untreated depression and anxiety, highlights the critical need for intervention.

Causes in the Youth:

  • Poverty

  • Family issues

  • Academic pressures

  • Competitive nature of education systems

TREATMENT

By addressing stigma through workshops and partnerships, we help break barriers to treatment. Our programs emphasize that mental health conditions, like depression, are real and require professional care (just like a physical illness). Effective interventions include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medication, tailored to meet individual needs while respecting cultural contexts.

Psychotherapy (Talk therapy): With a Psychologist

Cognitive behavioral therapy: A type of psychotherapy that helps people change negative thought patterns and behaviors by identifying and challenging irrational beliefs.

Medications:

  • Antipsychotics: Alter brain chemistry to help reduce psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions and disordered thinking. They are used to treat conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

  • Antidepressants: They increase the activity of chemicals called neurotransmitters in the brain. Example of neurotransmitters are serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine and these medications can help to lessen the symptoms of depression and anxiety).


    Note: More than half of all children in the U.S. go undiagnosed or untreated and millions of others are never told of their diagnosis by their doctor or healthcare provider.