“Pagal ho kya?”
“Log kya kahenge?”
These words we hear so often that they’ve become second nature. But have you ever stopped to think about what they really mean?
These aren’t just throwaway remarks; they reflect a deep-rooted stigma that forces countless people to suffer in silence.
The Fear of Speaking Up
Have you ever tried telling your parents, “Mujhe dar lag raha hai. I’m feeling anxious”?
If you have, chances are you got a dismissive response like, “Arey, it’s normal. Nothing’s going to happen. Stop overthinking.”
We treat physical pain seriously—rushing to the doctor for fevers and fractures. But when it comes to emotional pain, we expect people to just ‘get over it.’
Why? Is it because emotions aren’t visible, or because vulnerability is mistaken for weakness?
It is a chronic issue that takes it’s toll
Mental health isn’t just about feeling sad.
Suppressing emotions doesn’t make them disappear—it makes them fester. Anxiety, depression, and stress, when ignored, can manifest as chronic issues, affecting not just mental health but physical well-being too.
The casual dismissal of mental struggles creates a cycle where people feel invalidated, making it harder for them to seek help.
The longer it goes unaddressed, the more chronic it becomes and heavier the toll it takes — on relationships, work, and overall quality of life.
Sleep disturbances, fatigue, and even unexplained body aches, and gut health syndromes can stem from unresolved emotional pain.
Often it also leads to addiction to antidepressants and alcohol or even drugs.
Yet, we continue to underestimate its impact.
The Invisible Battles – Schizophrenia to OCD
Imagine a person admitting they hear voices. Instead of empathy, they’d be met with fear and avoidance.
Or someone with OCD washing their hands repeatedly—most people would just call it a “weird habit” without realizing the distress behind it.
These unseen struggles people fight every day. Anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, OCD—these aren’t “phases” or “excuses.”
They’re real, exhausting battles.
And yet, our first instinct is to judge. This is how our ignorance fuels stigma.
Therapy Isn’t a Taboo—It’s Self-Care and it is important
The word “therapy” still makes people uncomfortable. Why? When you’re sick, you see a doctor.
When your mind is struggling, shouldn’t you see a professional too? A therapist isn’t a magician—they don’t “fix” you. They listen, guide, and help you find clarity.
It’s time we stop treating mental health like a dark secret. Instead of dismissing someone with a casual “you’ll be fine,”
let’s start asking, “How can I help?”
That one question could make all the difference.
Changing the Narrative – Mental Health is Not a Joke
Why is mental health still a stigma? Maybe because we were never taught otherwise.
But we can change that.
We can educate ourselves and others, challenge outdated beliefs, and build a society where saying “I’m not okay” isn’t seen as a weakness but as an act of courage.
Let’s acknowledge mental struggles the same way we acknowledge physical ones. Let’s stop using “mental health” as an insult and start using it as a conversation.
Because mental health isn’t just important—it’s everything.
