Mental Health and Wellbeing

As the global covid-19 pandemic spreads and a lockdown is in place, how can a person with Bipolar Disorder cope with the situation? Vijay Nallawala, founder Bipolar India shares his tips on managing pro-actively.   “When will this end? How much more devastation will it cause? Will my family and I be able to survive this?” Who would have thought that a mere virus could have shaken the world to the core?The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the world, including India, unlike any…

Shikha Aleya, who has dealt with anxiety, shares her experience of accepting the changed scenario due to Covid-19, her self-care routines and coping strategies that address the various aspects that matter to her.  I understand anxiety having worked through it over decades. First I suggest we accept that a certain degree of anxiety has its place in this scheme of things. What is that degree? To the extent that you are okay with it, understand it and are holding space for yourself. I choose…

Insurance companies need to take more initiative and devise different medical insurance packages and products to cover mental health disorders, stressed most speakers at a recent conference organised by Poddar Foundation. With mental health disorders having risen significantly over the last few decades and causing considerable burden and financial stress on the individual and the society as well, it has become imperative to institute the right and proper kind of packages of insurance for mental…

People are increasingly exploring meditation as a way to mental wellbeing. Vineet Saraiwala, who has retinitis pigmentosa and is an avid trekker, marathoner and an endurance cyclist, rang in 2020 at a meditation centre. Here, he writes about his experiences and the questions people harbour about meditation. Meditation can produce a deep state of relaxation and a tranquil mind. It keeps the mind focussed and body relaxed and provides inner calm. Recently, I went to for 10-day introductory…

Shikha Aleya candidly and meticulously describes her first panic attack, the ensuing anxiety, how she dealt with her anxiety and depression reflects on her support system and the professional team. Her advice for persons in similar situations and their caregivers.  Can you describe your first incidence of a Panic Attack? What was your initial reaction? What made you eventually seek help?  I was in my mid to late twenties, on my way to a meeting along with my (then) husband and work…

Persuading a loved one to seek professional help for a mental health issue can be a significant challenge. Tanuja Babre, a counseling psychologist currently serving as a programme Coordinator of iCALL, TISS shares some best practices that you should follow while having this conversation. It is not easy to watch someone you love struggle emotionally. It is in fact, particularly difficult to manage their distress if their actions impact you negatively. In such a situation managing your…

Finding the right counselor can sometimes be a challenge. And it is possible that the therapist you found is not the right one. Tanuja Babre, a counseling psychologist currently serving as a programme Coordinator of iCALL, TISS explains when you should explore changing your therapist/ counselor. When we are going through difficult times, we are often advised to explore seeking therapy.  However, it is not as simple as it sounds. Taking the advice and acting on it can be complicated.…

While there is a lot of talk on depression, there are still a lot of myths and misconceptions about it. Psychiatrist Dr. Sweta Sheth from Bengaluru sheds light on some of the common myths.  As a psychiatrist, depression is one of the most common illnesses I see and treat. I call it an illness, because it is one. A serious, sometimes debilitating illness, which often remains hidden and undiagnosed. It’s not just a state of being sad or low when things aren’t going right for you. We see it…

Here is a real life narrative of three sisters who rally around their fourth sibling who has severe depression and schizophrenia to save and support her from spiralling out of control and giving her a purpose in life. *** Trigger Warning We are four sisters. My third sister (Ranu*) suffers from depression and schizophrenia. We have been taking care of her since our earliest recollection. The Early Years We had a very difficult childhood. We lost our father early. He was a patient of depression…

Rangashri Kishore, Dean of Library Services in Andhra Pradesh, talks about her unique initiatives and rehabilitation centres for the mental health cause. You are a Dean of Library Services at Krea University, Chittoor, by profession and also a mental health worker by avocation. Which aspect of mental health has been your area of concern? Mental Health is one of the most neglected aspects of health. Schizophrenia and other disorders such as bipolar disorder can be difficult to manage in family…