Sherlina Kaur's Story:

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It was only when I was 16 that I started hearing about mental health issues within the community and that too without being taught. It was more like stories or ‘she’s sad, she’ll get over it’ phrases being passed around from one cha cup to another. But it wasn’t just a story; it was a chain of struggles sinking in deaf ears and then ironically being spitted out for convenience. Some remain unaware till you give them a list of clinically diagnosed mental health conditions. 

Till today, I believe a good way around it is to start with our inner circles. @namicommunicate tells us that mental health conditions can start from as early as the age of 14 so why not talk about this within families? Especially if it can help a kid recognize another kid in need.

 

Also no, our South Asian community validating depression for girls but deeming it not ‘masculine’ enough for a boy is not progress.