EMBRACE, EMPOWER, EVOLVE

Ins and outs of counselling for a better future.

- Reema Bansal

If we carefully look around, we all have that one friend/family member/relative/neighbour/ colleague who seems to be fighting some mental health issue. However, very few of us have a clear understanding of the various mental health conditions. Speaking of the most common one-depression; it's known as the common cold of psychological disorders due to its high incidence. But what exactly is depression? Is it just feeling down? Lack of energy? Hopelessness?

It is all this, and more. It is an inability to draw pleasure from what one usually enjoys. It is persistent sadness, as well as changes in sleep routine and appetite, and more. Thoughts like 'I'm a failure', 'Life is not worth living', feelings of guilt and disappointment, all characterise depression. However, complete information on the symptomatology etc. of this (and other) mental health conditions is beyond this article's purview. But, it is worth mentioning that therapy or counselling can mostly help improve the situation. If the patient/client themselves aren't yet ready or available for sessions, family and friends can start going to the psychologist.

This indirectly assists the particular person as their near and dear ones begin exhibiting better coping behaviours; and can sometimes motivate the former to begin going themselves.

Mira, a fashion designer, started feeling low all the time. With a handsome, loving and caring husband, and doting in-laws, everything was picture perfect in her life; it seemed unlikely that she would be caught in the clutches of depression. It was her mother-in-law who suggested that she seek counselling. Not entirely baffled by the idea, as she herself had thought of it once or twice, Mira decided to give it a shot.

However, the fear of her being labelled as 'mad', 'nuts' and 'insane' held her back for two more months. Finally, she overcame her inhibitions and decided to call a therapist.