Mental Health Posts and Quotes

2 posts back, I talked about Stigma, and how Mental health stigma has limited people access to healthcare and therapeutic care.  There's a invisible label that gets attached to anyone with a Mental Illness, and it's something they have to live with over their course of life. When people say, 'it's a choice, I often say, yeah, it's everyone's choice, not just theirs.' Your choices, or the choices of the general public shapes these opinions. Why do you think people don't get treatment for Mental Illness? Or no one talks about it? Or even if someone does no one listens? The answer is Stigma, discriminating people who have Mental Illness, and those who talk about it. Few years ago, I used to relate anxiety as weakness of my own, and depression as something filthy and pitiful, even though I had both, and even terrifying periods of it. Why? Because growing up, I never saw or heard anyone talk about, anyone, not in schools, home, friends (even the imaginary ones). So I related to it as something bad, or pitiful, even though it was just my body's way of saying, 'things aren't right, something needs to change.' I was too proud to admit that. But over the years, luckily after having a severe breakdown, I started giving more attention to my feelings and thoughts, and there was this huge mess I uncovered, lying beneath all those years of false beliefs and judgements. So I started to learn, and open myself up to new ideas. I started reading about it, listening to audio podcasts, and to my own voice as well. Over the years, I've become better in seeing things with an open perspective. And this has been really liberating. I'm not saying it's just the choice of the general public. Even people with Mental Illness have these stereotypes. The point is to step out of the beliefs we've carried over, and show compassion and empathy to others and ourselves. If you unconsciously follow any of the signs I've mentioned in the post, try to find out why do you have those beliefs, and work your way out of it. It's a long journey, but when you start seeing the patterns, you realize how long you've been blinded by the false beliefs by the society.  The only way out is the way in. (at Mental Health Matters) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCq4Fbzsj9y/?igshid=1n6233y8uwt63

Thoughts, often misunderstood and believed as reality, are the manifestation of our surroundings, genetics, life experiences, and education. While we think every waking hour of the day, most of us don't have a healthy relationship with our thoughts.  Few days back, after having a tiring day at work, I was irritated, It felt like I've been on a trampoline all along, getting hurled back to the same place over and over again. This irritated me even further. And then I'm cooped up in home for what feels like eternity, and the outside world feels a little more appealing and exciting. Life doesn't seem like it's going anywhere, and my personal life seems to be going in the wrong direction. There's just nothing left for me. What will I do? It doesn't look right. No, no this is not how it was meant to be. I'll get back, I promise. What was just a tinge in the back spread like a wildfire in less than a minute. It got so overwhelming that I felt like shutting out everyone. I felt like screaming out and smashing a blow to the walls, but I didn't. (Saved from being called mad, ufff... and a broken hand as well.. *chuckles) An average human being has around 12000 to 60000 thoughts per day out of which 80% are negative, and 95% are repetitive. So you are bound to have more negative thoughts than positives. But I don't think reasoning works when you're lost. As I was talking earlier about smashing a blow to the wall, there's something I remembered I learnt in my meditation practice. Imagine you're sitting on the sidewalks of a busy road or a park with a lot of people walking by, and you watch them, just come and go. Sure you see your favorite Jaguar, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, or whatever car, bike you love, but you don't run towards it. You just see it, smile at it, and watch it go away. It's the same with thoughts. You just watch them come and go. So, after remembering it, I felt somewhat grounded, and I breathed mindfully for a minute or two, letting the pent-up thoughts arise and go as they wish, not holding onto them, and not running away from them. I hope this post was able to help you. If it did, kindly mention it in the comments section below 🥰. . @gauravbadola (at Mind and Thoughts) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCjGVELMYhG/?igshid=1qmzy17puczwm

Have you been stigmatized? Stigma, a Greek word, was often referred to a kind of tattoo mark that was cut or burned into the skin of criminals, slaves, or traitors in order to distinguish them from others. These individuals were to be shunned, particularly in public places. In Mental Health scenario, stigma can arise due to a multitude of factors, like lack of awareness, lack of education, lack of perception, and the nature and complications of the mental illness. The unwillingness to change or educate oneself while stereotyping others who don't seem to fit into the social status seems to be the predominant line. The victims often end up alone, bearing the brunt of society as well as their own thoughts and patterns. Often their voices ends up on deaf ears, and the fear of being judged, or isolated, or even both, make up for the little bit of hope they have. There's so much pain in the world right now, and a small token of kindness, empathy, support, compassion can go a long way in breaking up this invisible wall of Stigma created centuries ago. Though so many drastic measures are still taking place, but until change happen in the hearts of people, nothing will change. So with a flicker of hope within, I want to start this conversation. A world where people can take a day off due to depression, or anxiety or panic attack. A world where shame is not associated with the term Mentally Ill. Let's see people for who they are. Amidst that trauma, that scar, there exists a person just like you and me. Maybe a little bit troubled, but still needing the love, support and affection like you and I do. Share this post and let the conversation around Mental Health become a norm, not a taboo. Do let me know if it helped you. I've also written a thorough post about it, the link is in the bio. If you're currently suffering from a trauma, or scar, or just your thoughts, hop into the comment section and lets converse. Don't think it doesn't matter, it does. The change starts with us, don't you think so? . @gauravbadola . #mentalhealthstigma #gauravbadola #mentalhealthblogger #endthestigma #breakthestigma #fightstigma #nostigma #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthsupport (at End the Stigma.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCYxfLas-L9/?igshid=1aeo5bfgpxd35

An important note (Read till the end): The times are not the brightest these days. People are hurting, suffering and this have been going on for many centuries. This isn't about white supremacy or black racism. It's about being judged for being "you". How the hell I'm supposed to be white if I'm born black, and why I'm being ashamed of that? Or why am I not allowed to a part of a group just because I have cancer, or because I have weird teeth, or because I suffer from anxiety attacks at night? Why? Why? Why? A change is just round the corner. Either you can be the part of a change, or you'll be swept away when the change comes. Be kind, gentle, and caring to your inner self. You can learn more about how to contribute by going to blacklivesmatter.com. There's so much hurt out there, and I want you to know how much it hurts me to see it every day. I go through phases of depression almost every week or two, sometimes I'm scared of posting, and some days I just want to run away. I've spend so much time hating myself that getting out of those patterns will take time, and it'll be a long journey. But I want you to remember that your feelings are valid, your scars, your voice, your body, everything is beautiful and special, even if someone says it isn't. I'm not talking about positive narcissism here. I'm talking about just "You," the fragile you. This year have been a year filled with insight and introspection. My new post will be a little delayed, because of a depression scenario that made me out of writing for some time. I've started writing the piece again, but it'll take time. I'll post any update here, and I'm so grateful for this community 🥰. Thank you everyone for supporting me. .@gauravbadola #gauravbadola #mentalhealthblogger #endracism #endthestigma #mentalhealthmatters #lifeblogger #khushiyan #happiness #whiteprivilege #lifechallenges #howcanyouhelp #howcanihelp #introspection #battlingdepression #anxietyawareness #beempathetic #mentalhealth (at Mehrauli Ward No 3) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBbFqcjJZ3f/?igshid=mirxcqwe8jj6

Racism, at its core, is a disease that has swept all of mankind. People are being hurt and killed, not just by bullets and violence but by the sheer unwillingness of people to come out and support others. What we don't see is that we're going to be next, if not due to color, then due to religion, disease, disability, or just by race. It's time radical changes should be taken to make sure that humanity progresses as a whole. And things are changing. People have come up from all around the world with their own tools and means to help the black community out there. Just don't let this fire burn out.  Anybody who's posting content, please don't use the blacklivesmatter hashtag as it's making useful and informative content fade away amidst the sea of contents being posted. Use any other hashtag to show your solidarity and support. . . @gauravbadola #radicalchange #racisminamerica #racismisreal #racialdiscrimination #stopdiscrimination #gauravbadola #changeiscoming #youcouldbenext #racism #emotionalsupport #protests #letsstanduptogether #mentalhealthblogger #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthmatters #endthestigma #endracism #timetochange #staystrong #supportsmallbusiness (at Delhi, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBKiTe_JwS3/?igshid=1qrhc3hos9p4l

This week embarks the 'Mental Health Week.' Though the stigma surrounding it is still there, the awareness regarding it has increased a lot. Every step towards it will take us towards a step closer in reducing the stigma around it. So, keeping in mind this year's Mental Health theme, I'll be speaking about kindness in further days ahead. Though it is seen as a weakness, it's like a superpower. The more you're kind and gentle to others, the more space you create within yourself to be less judgemental and critical of yourself. But, draw a line between helping others, and letting others use you. The idea of kindness is to help others without any expectations in hindsight, otherwise it's like keeping a mental score. And keeping a mental score sucks, it'll drain your entirety, and you'll end up feeling miserable. Be kind, humble, and gentle. It goes both ways. Check out my latest post. The link is in the bio. . . #gauravbadola #mentalhealthawarenessmonth #mentalhealthblogger #mentalhealthweek #mentalhealthawarenessweek #lifechallenges #kindness #findyourtruth #begentlewithyourself #healingjourney #lifeblogger #canva #staystrong #inspirationalstories (at Delhi, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAVQZVcgJTd/?igshid=dr34kk9veglk

Remember, you own your thoughts, not the other way around. Be kind and gentle on yourself.

The theme for this Year's Mental Health Week is Kindness. Kindness is really underrated. Most of us take it for granted, thinking we've earned it. So we keep on taking it away, forgetting that a day will come, when they'll walk away, to a better place, to a better person, or towards oblivion. It's not easy to be kind in a world where there's no room for reality. It's easy to hurt others, be a stud, and be liked by others. That cool persona, or so. But, kindness is the new cool. Kindness is liberating. And there's nothing more cooler than to be kind when your whole world is crumbling apart. It takes guts. And I hope you choose to walk this path, following your heart to the extremes. My new blog post is live now, you can go check it out in my bio. . . #gauravbadola #lifechallenges #lifeblogger #kindness #inspirationalstories #blogger #mentalhealthblogger #mentalhealthweek #mentalhealthawarenessmonth #mentalhealthawarenessweek #mentalhealthmatters #impermanence #hopelessness #blogpost #neverwaver #findyourtruth #startagain #failuresarelessons #failureispartofsuccess (at Delhi, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/CATIfu1A84C/?igshid=8ct6xa50l0v9

Here are 9 ways I’ve found to be particularly useful among this time. Check this post out and you’ll realize most of the things you’re worrying about are out of your reach.

Gaurav Badola