Author: Seniz Rego | July 18th, 2021
Mental Health is extremely important and needs to be addressed, especially in today’s times where stress levels are high due to performance pressure, expectations and competition. For many it is not interesting, underrated, looked down upon and ignored. So why am I, a 22 year old from Goa so interested in mental health? Well, that is a story you may find interesting…I am here to tell you how finally after 8yrs of dealing with mental stress, I reached out for help.
One does not need a grave reason or trauma, abuse or depression to seek out a counsellor. Talking to a professional about exam stress, bullying, relationship issues, even how you process your thoughts can be of great benefit. And this is the concept I didn’t understand when I was younger, bottling everything up because I felt that my problems were not big or severe enough to reach out for help, little did I know that not dealing with my issues would lead to stress, and the longer you leave things the longer they take to resolve. Stress has many knock on effects, few of which are positive or healthy.
As a child, I experienced verbal abuse, body shaming, first degree molestation, a mother suffering from stage 2 breast cancer clubbed together with the usual family problems, obviously this took a toll on my self-esteem, self-confidence and personal growth. It made me fearful and anxious. I avoided speaking up for myself and lost the ability to use the word ‘NO’. I hated the way I looked for a huge part of my adolescence and I was dealing with these problems all by myself because I never showed on the outside what I was going through. People around me knew me as the girl who is always cheery, happy, positive and stress-free but on the inside there was a whole other world manifesting.
I was fortunate, there was a light in my world that kept me going – dance, my passion. I have a supportive mother who understands and sees the person I become through dance and a few friends who have always been there for me, and I thought this was enough until I started working at Sethu, a non-profit organisation that thrives towards helping children with special needs. As a psychology graduate I was over the moon at the chance to get experience in this area.
My job at Sethu kicked off with a great start and things were going well until I allowed my personal problems interfere with my professional work. I started procrastinating, my absenteeism increased, I started falling sick very often, I lost focus, I had to drag myself to work everyday with very little motivation left in me. My HOD was very supportive and understanding about my difficulties at first but as they increased to the point where anyone else would have sent me home, she suggested I see a counsellor. Now, she didn’t give me a choice, because if she did, I would have said no. I was dealing with it (by doing all of the above) and anyway my issues were not big enough. I am so thankful that she convinced me to do it. I trusted her judgement on many levels and thought that maybe she is seeing something I don’t.
I was extremely nervous and anxious before my first session as I didn’t know how comfortable I’d be to open up to a complete stranger, it is hard to get that first sentence out but the relief of telling someone with no agenda, apart from your well-being was immense. From the first session I felt I had gained a new, clearer perspective. I’m still working on myself every single day. I’m pleased to report that the dark world inside of me now has some bright areas. There is no magic wand for good mental health, but talking to a professional is a highly recommended step in the right direction
Concerned about your family’s mental health contact us…
SENIZ REGO
Awareness and Fundraising Executive