#supportnotstigma

Struggle with spelling? Read slower than others? Mix up letters like b and d?

You’re not broken. You’re not lazy. You might just be Dyslexic — and that’s okay. 💛

Dyslexia doesn’t mean you’re less smart — it means your brain learns in its own unique way. Some of the most creative minds in the world have Dyslexia. 🌍🎨

Here’s what helps: ✔️ Patience (from you and others) ✔️ Supportive routines and tools ✔️ Knowing you're not alone ✔️ Encouragement > criticism

Let’s stop seeing Dyslexia as a setback and start seeing it as a strength. 💪 Every mind works differently—and that’s what makes the world so incredible.

Big emotions. Tiny hearts. And sometimes? Kids need a little help. Behavior therapy for kids isn’t about “fixing” them — it’s about guiding them.

💡 It teaches:

Emotional control

Empathy & social skills

Healthy expression through play

Positive habits that stick

Not a weakness. Not a disgrace. Just support — at the right time, in the right way.

Recently, I encountered a teenager with special needs inside Fully Booked at TriNoma mall. I was quietly scanning the back of a book, feeling the comfortable quiet of a bookstore when an outburst made me almost drop it to the ground.

I saw an overweight teen walk past my aisle, almost pushing people out of the way as he charged toward the comic section. I won't sugarcoat it—he looked like a walking medical issue. His heavy steps slightly shook the ground. I thought he was a spoiled rich kid prancing around in the metro before I realized he was on the spectrum. His initial outburst made it sound like he was Daddy's arrogant little boy. But it was obvious afterward that he was on the spectrum.

The teen stayed in the bookstore for more than half an hour. He was unruly, shouting obscenities and narrating his innermost thoughts for the crowd to hear. None of that was his fault, of course. My main concern was determining if the staff had experience dealing with this situation. Already, one staff's reaction was to mockingly mimic the autistic person's shouts and movements. Others were staring, unsure of how to proceed. The lady guard had a stern, irritated look that made me think she was going to throw him from the store. Others chuckled and pointed. I sighed inwardly: simple-minded Filipinos love to laugh at a spectacle.

I understood where she was coming from, though. To some of them, the autistic person was causing a scene. From the moment he entered, he was speaking loudly, unaware of how his volume affected those around him. I tried to diffuse the situation somehow by frowning at the man who mocked the teen's disability, so that other staff members would see it was not a laughing matter, and to continue back to my book as if there was no disturbance. Thankfully, other customers chose the same tactic and went back to their shopping or reading, and those who could not stomach the disruptive noise chose to leave. To be fair, the words coming from his mouth were hurtful and taboo--words that you dare not say in public for fear of being labeled as "baliw".

My other concern was that the autistic person didn’t seem to have a guardian with him. I stepped outside to check if someone was watching over him but found no one. When I went back inside, I was glad to find some of the staff gradually adjusted their approach. There was that, at least. They spoke to him in softer tones and ensured that he wouldn’t damage any books.

Throughout the situation, I felt a mix of emotions—shock, irritation, discomfort, and concern. I couldn’t help but wonder: What if someone who lacked understanding decided to harm him? Did he have access to proper therapy and support? And even if he did, was it enough? AND WHERE THE F WAS HIS GUARDIAN?!

This experience made me reflect on a deeper issue: the lack of awareness and resources in the Philippines for individuals with autism, especially those on the more severe end of the spectrum. Many people express sympathy for autistic children who are quiet or easy to care for, but what about individuals like him—those who are loud, impulsive, and unpredictable? When they grow up and are no longer "cute," will society still extend the same compassion?

This moment was a reminder of how crucial education and proper support are for individuals with special needs. It also highlights the need for greater understanding and empathy from all of us. Facing these realities isn’t easy, but talking about them is the first step toward ensuring that people like him receive the care and acceptance they deserve in our community.

 Imagine carrying an invisible weight—one that tightens around your chest when you wake up, dulls the colours of the world, and turns even the simplest tasks into mountains. Now imagine trying to explain that weight to someone who doesn’t understand, only to be met with blank stares, dismissive words, or well-meaning but empty reassurances.

This is the reality for millions struggling with mental health every day. Not because they don’t want help, but because the world around them still doesn’t truly see, hear, or understand.

‘Misunderstood: A Guide to Mental Wellness’ by Sree Krishna Seelam is a step toward changing that.

This book is the voice for every person who was told “It’s just a phase.” The scream behind every smile. The truth behind the silence. It’s a book that finally listens, when the world has spent too long turning away. 

The Unseen Battle

Not all wounds bleed. Some are quiet. Invisible. A perfectly curated Instagram post. A laugh at the dinner table. A “Good morning” text. The world sees one version of reality, but beneath the surface, there’s a storm no one talks about. 

The author pulls back the curtain on these unseen battles, weaving real-life stories of those struggling with depression, anxiety, and trauma—people who walk among us, unnoticed, unheard. The teenager who spirals in self-doubt but hides it behind straight A’s. The mother drowning in postpartum depression, too ashamed to say it out loud. The man who laughs the loudest at work, yet feels empty the moment he’s alone. 

This book doesn’t ask you to just “be aware” of mental health—it makes you feel it. 

Why we fail to see the signs

Mental illness isn’t just misunderstood—it’s misrepresented. We assume that if someone is suffering, they’ll show it. But what if they don’t? What if they keep it locked away behind “I’m fine”? 

The author dives into why we’re wired to ignore mental struggles. How culture, upbringing, and fear have conditioned us to dismiss, rather than embrace, vulnerability. He explores: 

·         Why we equate mental health struggles with weakness 

·         The dangerous myths that stop people from seeking help 

·         How silence has cost lives—and how we can change that  

It’s a hard pill to swallow, but an essential one. Because the truth is, someone in your life needs help right now. The question is, will you notice? 

A handbook for healing

This book isn’t just about understanding—it’s about action. Sree Krishna Seelam provides real, tangible ways to support both yourself and those around you, including: 

o   How to recognize the warning signs (even the subtle ones)

o   The right way to respond when someone reaches out 

o   When to encourage professional help—and when to just listen

o   How to build a life where mental wellness isn’t an afterthought, but a priority 

What sets ‘Misunderstood: A Guide to Mental Wellness’ apart is its heart. It’s not a clinical textbook filled with distant theories—it’s a compassionate conversation. A hand reaching out in the dark. A lifeline for those who feel unheard. 

This book isn’t just for “them.” It’s for you.

For the times you’ve struggled but told yourself others had it worse. 

For the moments you wanted to reach out but didn’t know how. 

For the people in your life who may be suffering in silence. 

Mental health isn’t someone else’s problem—it’s ours. And if we truly want to break the cycle of misunderstanding, we have to start by changing the way we see, listen, and respond. 

So let’s talk. Let’s listen. Let’s stop letting mental health be misunderstood.