THE GOAN NETWORK
Mental health struggles can show up in unfinished meals, a loss of interest in everyday hobbies, compulsive thoughts or behaviours, and sometimes impulsive actions. These experiences differ from person to person, and not everyone finds it easy to ask for help or explain how they feel. With the right support, however, people can find a way forward. On World Mental Health Day, we listen to their lived experiences and the real voices that can bring about real change.
FACING JUDGEMENT
Across these stories, one need stood out: to be heard with empathy. Looking back, they share what they wish people understood, the support that helped them through difficult times, and what needs to change to make it easier for people to speak about their mental health and seek help.
As the individuals requested anonymity, their names have been changed.
Radhika, who struggled with hypochondria and thanatophobia a few years ago, recalls feeling alone and afraid of being judged. “I have personally known someone living with this condition for over a decade, and I know all the judgements and derogatory remarks behind their back. So I went through it all alone,” she shares. Even when she sought emotional support from her parents, their logical explanations did little to ease her anxiety. Working in remote areas for her research sometimes triggered severe anxiety and panic, and a fieldmate’s judgemental response only made matters worse. A close friend eventually encouraged her to try therapy when she struggled to understand what she was going through.
She also found comfort in Instagram pages discussing hypochondria, realising she was not alone. Spirituality helped her through panic attacks, while one friend gave her the space to fall apart without questioning her feelings or asking her to think logically. “I just wish I had more such gentle spaces to help me come out of my miserable headspace,” she says, adding that not everyone has access to the support that helped her.
SHOWING EMPATHY
An accident that left Mathew seriously injured also left him unsure of whom to turn to. He worried that people would hate having to leave everything behind to help him, but his friends turned up and stayed by his side. He wishes people were more empathetic and understood that everyone has different lives and experiences. “Being empathetic is seen as uncool. You can be nice and yet conquer the world,” he says, believing that greater empathy could make people more comfortable reaching out for support.
For Raj, support is not always about asking what happened, but about being present, offering small gestures of kindness and giving someone the space to speak when they feel ready. While conversations with a few people helped him, seeking professional help was not as easy. “Small conversations with a few people did help, but asking for help was not easy. I wish it was easier to seek help, especially when you are in college and really need someone to talk to, but hesitation and the cost of counselling make it harder,” he says.
FEELING UNDERSTOOD
Being misunderstood made Krisha’s struggles even harder. She wished people knew she was not being lazy or dramatic. Some days, her mind would not slow down, while on others, she could barely get going. Anxiety left her constantly worried about the future, making it difficult to enjoy the present. “The constant advice to ‘just stay positive’ didn’t really help. I just wanted someone to believe me,” she says.
Meeting her doctor became a turning point, as she felt heard without being judged. Medication, proper sleep, and having someone to talk to on difficult days also helped her cope with bipolar disorder. She hopes people can speak about mental health without shame or fear of “log kya kahenge”. Mental health should be treated like any other health problem, she says, and seeking medical help should feel normal. Sometimes, being heard helps the most.
LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE
After her mother passed away, Sam struggled with grief and loneliness. “I wish people had understood and been more considerate towards me. That would have helped me feel better and more accepted,” she says. During her 14 years in rehabilitation, she made many friends whose support remains close to her. “The other residents were very supportive, and their love and affection kept me going. I believe that love and affection, along with medication, are very important for a person to achieve stability in life,” she shares. Having experienced acceptance herself, Sam believes people living with mental illness should be treated with kindness and understanding. “They should not be ridiculed or made fun of. We must not judge people or be harsh towards them, but accept them for who they are,” she says.
Each of these stories offers a glimpse into experiences that are not always easy to explain or understand. From finding the courage to seek help to having someone who listens without judgement, their voices show why empathy and acceptance matter. By making space for these experiences, we can begin to change how we understand mental health, one conversation at a time.
