EleMENTAL couch speak for Gen-Y

Mental health awareness has taken leaps and bounds in our country. There is a renewed sense to address mental illness with the same amount of care and attention, as a physical ailment. Today, young people are more open to consulting a psychologist and sharing feelings. Being open about thoughts that were once advised to be kept under wraps has sparked a real change in the lives of several students.

Fortunately, there is a realisation that one needs to be informed and recognise the symptoms of a mental illness early on. Students, who more often than not, find themselves in tough spots, agree. Sharanya Iyer, a student counsellor finds that students talk about loneliness, self-esteem and addiction to smoking. She adds, “A lot of effort goes into building a rapport. “It takes two to three sessions for students to open up and talk freely without the notion of being judged. Mental health should not directly correlate to clinical illness. Counselling can also be a feel good factor  or talking therapy,” she says.

Issac Paul, who was part of the peer counselling initiative at Christ University

Sometimes, students are not really sure why they feel the way they do.  Issac Paul, a psychology student feels, “I was fairly but not completely aware of the reasons as to why I felt the way I felt initially. It took me several therapeutic sessions to understand and cope with my depression.” He eventually learnt the importance of expressing himself to understand, and maintain a positive state of mind in the professional world. He also spoke of awareness drives being held at his college, where they pick interested students to pass on knowledge about various issues to their peers.

It is natural that a student would turn towards a friend to share their problems.

But, Dr Geeta Mohan, a Student Welfare Officer at a women’s college emphasises on the importance of talking to a professional to gain guided advice,  “Students need to open up and talk to teachers. The teacher can help them out and also recommend them to a counsellor if necessary.”

College counsellors mediate between faculty and students, encouraging them to take on academics and co-curricular activities. Deena Prabhu, an international business student says, “The counsellor at college is friendly and always has the door open. We can talk about mundane things  and personal problems.” She also mentions how the college ensures students get one session a year with a counsellor to make sure that they are doing well.

It looks like Bengaluru has grown immensely in terms of addressing mental health issues. Dr Geeta Appachu, a reputed psychologist said, “Today, I am happy to see a major positive change in several families who look forward to working with  problems and seeking professional help.” This definite change augurs a new era in mental health, surely.