I am not depressed anymore.

There were a few things I was going over and over in the last few days. The kind of environment that I am in right now has really made me self-introspect, at the same time observe people around me.

I agree that we have been more open towards accepting depression and that perception of mental illnesses is slowly changing. Yet I see that there is a certain hesitancy in seeking help.

We all know that 1 in 4 people is depressed. This clearly states that it is very common these days. The problem lies for those people who do not want to reach out for help or feel that it’s something they can control themselves. “I can handle it myself”, or “What can a therapist do? I already know what to do”, are the common thought processes.

Do you know that when you hurt your ankle or if you have a fever, your mind can be very instrumental in healing those ailments? But what do you do when your mind is unwell? You will have to seek help from outside.

Depending on your ailment, you may or may not require medication. But you should be consulting someone who is experienced, mature, and who can give the right direction and approach. The most significant message here is that there is nothing to be ashamed of. Realizing, accepting, and reaching out for help is half the battle won. It’s the first step for an enhanced life through a positive transformation. By doing this you are not weak. You are way stronger than you think.

The last bit is again for all of us and is equally important. Everybody is too busy with their own lives. We need to be more observant, more sensitive to the people around us. It’s very hard for them every day to put up a smile to school, college or work. Do not assume mood swings or breaking down as their attention-seeking methods. We should be good listeners to provide the right support and direction.

It’s a cause that I am personally very attached to...........