Remember when we were kids? We were told, "Study hard now, and you can have fun later." Then as teens, it was all about getting into a good college so we could enjoy life later on. But then came the pressure in university: "If you can't handle this, how will you manage in the real world?" And in the corporate world, we're told that busyness equals success so we focus on putting in the hours.
We get so caught up in the rat race that we forget to enjoy life. Suddenly, retirement approaches, and we realize we've missed out on so much. Some look back a successful and healthy career, some become grandparents and try to relive their youth, while some wish they taken more time to enjoy life's simple pleasures and then start to unravel their learnings to lead a fuller life.
Somewhere Life takes a turn, somewhere the joys of childhood are lost, somewhere it just becomes a competition that no one has been taught to handle, somewhere it is all about an image, somewhere we find ourselves just swimming with the tides. As we growing up, we forget about the little things that used to make us happy. Childhood was all about fun and games, but now it's like we're on a non-stop mission to impress others and fit in. We're too busy trying to look cool, get likes on social media, or just get by each day. But in all this chaos, we lose sight of who we really are. We're so focused on trying to be successful and meet society's expectations that we forget about our own dreams and desires. It starts feeling like we're just going through the motions, not really living it. And we struggle silently because we're afraid of being judged or not taken seriously.
After all, "Being grown-up is easy; it is the growing up part that is hard" and that, unfortuantely, doesn't come with a manual.
A smiling and joyful person could be one who ends their life in a few hours so don't assume that we can read the signs. A 6 pack, tons of friends, a road-trip is not sufficient to resolve the core emotions that continue to fester with yourself - be it a trauma, loss of passion, burnout or just finding a sense of purpose.
Some of the biggest issues youth face are depression, anxiety, relationship issues, body image/ self-esteem, loneliness. They resist reaching out for help for fear of being judged, because of the stigma still associated. Being unsure if their problem is significant enough and/ or out of concerns of availability, expense and impact.
But it's okay not to be okay. It's okay to reach out for help when we need it. Mental health is just as important as physical health. That's where The Able Mind comes in. It's a place where you can find affordable support, whether you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or just lost. From a female bus conductor in Mangalore to a corporate employee with a panic attack in a mall in Bangalore, to a student in Gurgaon, we have some remarkable tales of success. Quick support not only averted obstacles but also propelled their growth.
With accessibility, affordability, and anonymity just a tap away, mental health assistance is readily available. Regardless of the hurdle – be it work, home, relationships, or others – express, address and slowly rebuild your passion and resilience.
