On the occasion of World Mental Health Day on Tuesday, we witnessed many celebrities opening up about their own mental health issues and raising awareness of the importance of mental health concerns on social media platforms. Celebrities including Hrithik Roshan, Karan Johar, Kajol, Aamir Khan, and many more shared on social media how they benefitted from seeking help from therapy.
Hrithik Roshan
Hrithik Roshan opens up on Instagram about how therapy helped when he was going through mental health issues in the past. He said that he wouldn’t be here at peace, making each day count, being productive and kind to himself and others, taking challenges, and getting better in work and life overall. And that it wouldn’t have been possible without the years he put into therapy. Additionally, he said that working on oneself, and on one’s inner world is very precious. He wishes that become a community of aware adults to change the world for the better. He wishes all of us to learn how to look within.
Kajol
Sharing a monochromatic photo of her holding a loud laugh, she spreads positivity by writing “Laugh, Live, love and make others laugh too”. Emphasizing on practicing kindness to people around you she says, ’ Do your bit of kindness in a day’, ‘you never know which soul is watching you, waiting for some evidence of the goodness of humanity’. It may save someone’s sanity by showing them that compassion exists. Kajol’s message about practicing kindness, which can enlighten another person’s world highlights the importance of supportiveness and compassion towards those who may be silently struggling.
Karan Johar
Karan Johar shared how he dealt with anxiety in the past. He said that like many, he also felt like “this can’t happen to me”, showcasing the associated stigma that comes when seeking help. In 2015-2016 he felt the first burst of anxiety and knew that something was wrong. His friend guided him to a psychologist, where his issues were addressed. With medication and a change of lifestyle, things got better for him.
In addition to that, Karan shared how anxiety came back this year, but now he could acknowledge the trigger and understand how to address it immediately. He addressed a word of caution for the people who are suffering from mental health issues, that simple solutions like “go out for a drive”, “meet your friends”, “go for a holiday”, and “get a massage” are ‘red flag’ solutions to mental health concerns. While these may offer short-term coping, it does not tackle or address the root cause of mental health concern. It may provide a ‘temporary fix’ or merely a way of avoiding the main problem, that may have a chance of popping up again in life. Therapy aims to address the root causes of issues, and offer strategies for long-term well-being.
Aamir Khan
Aamir Khan along with his daughter Ira Khan, shared on his Instagram page a video where they addressed the importance of seeking help when we are struggling with mental health issues, a step towards reducing stigma.
They said, “When we need to learn something, we go to a teacher. When we need to get a haircut, we go to a salon. These are professionals who are trained to deal with such problems. Similarly, in our life, there are many problems that we cannot do ourselves, and we require a professional that understands the problem and is trained to provide guidance.”
Need to cut out our hair, we immediately go to the salon. Feeling sick, we immediately went to the doctor. Similarly, when we face emotional or psychological difficulties in our lives, we shouldn’t have to think twice and seek the help of a trained mental health professional who can help us.
The celebrities made the public aware of the importance of seeking help through therapy, for the development of a more self-aware society and well-being of individuals. They addressed the stigma and stereotypes associated with seeking help, and how they themselves took time to think before they sought treatment. The willingness of celebrities to openly discuss their experiences plays a crucial role in reducing the stigma associated with mental health and encourages more people to seek help when needed. The public figures who shared their stories encourage the development of a more self-aware society, where individuals are comfortable seeking help when faced with emotional or psychological challenges in life.
Source: Indian Express
