Interview with Ms. Carmine Khandle
Masters in Psychology,
Sociology Teacher at JBCN International School

1. What does mental health mean to you?
Mental health, for me, is very very important and something I am very passionate about it. It is equivalent to your physical health. Ban Ki-Moon, the UN Secretary General was actually the one who said that mental health is equivalent to physical health. Mental health symptoms are often not visible, so it is sometimes hard for people to believe that depression exists or anxiety exists, that something as severe as mood disorders or food disorders exist. They just think that it is something that will pass on its own. However, I believe that it is very important to understand that taking appropriate measures to treat these disorders is critical. 
 
2. Why do you think mental health is important and why should it be made aware of in children, including those who cannot afford its resources and are below the poverty line? 
In a country like India, mental health is not covered by any health insurance policy. Plus, not everyone can afford it, because the fees are unreasonably high. For instance, if I am meeting a mental health professional every week, the minimum fees would be 500 INR per session, and it can go on to 10,000 INR per session; and imagine someone with a 10,000 salary per month. This person will never ever make it a priority to go and see a professional. So one way for people to make this a priority would be to put it under insurance. Another thing for children specifically, if they are conditioned from an early age, mental health will not be as stigmatised in their minds when they grow up. Counselling sessions would definitely help. These days, especially in a metropolitan city like Mumbai, parents are still okay to say that their child has a mental health issue and they feel safe to say their child is a problem. However in the rural areas, it tends to be difficult due to the barriers placed by society and the shame that surrounds mental health in general. Thus, it is extremely important and should it be made aware of in children, including those who cannot afford its resources and are below the poverty line
 
3.⁠ ⁠Can you describe your experience working with children and adolescents? Have you ever worked with those from underprivileged backgrounds?
I have worked with children and adolescents for about three years, and my experience is that even though it sounds easy, to bring them to that level of awareness to recognise that there is an issue and it must be resolved is extremely challenging. But the beauty that lies in it is that it gives you lots of insight into human behaviour, plus it makes you a better person. Working with this age group, I have become more patient and compassionate and kind and it has definitely made me a better person. I have worked with underprivileged children and what I learnt from there is that they have a lot of resilience and are great at bouncing back. Many a times they don’t even realise that what they have is a problem, not being able to read is a problem, they don’t even know. They just want to enjoy life and have fun. The problem arises when we try to mainstream them and put them in our so-called “middle-class” culture, that’s the time you have a problem.
 
4. What strategies do you use to create a safe and welcoming environment for children who may be hesitant to seek help or open up about their feelings?
I think what has worked best for me has been human and being very compassionate and patient and not rushing through the process and pushing them like “It’s a safe place; It’s a safe place. You can talk.” For me, it’s really important to build that rapport and walk the way they walk and talk the way they talk, really just mirror them and give them compassion and unconditional love. Basically, just having a non-judgemental attitude.
 
5. Do you reconcile with the aim of the YANA community? Do you have any ideas/suggestions of programs we can inculcate within the YANA community that you think would be successful?
I feel as if The YANA Community is something we need so much more of and I completely reconcile and endorse the aim of the organisation. COVID-19 to some extent has helped breaking the stigma, but there is a long way to go.
Children and adolescents in the 21st century may be more comfortable asking for a therapist and families are more willing to provide that help but there is still a stigma.
The most important thing to teach, if it is not being taught already, is to have sessions conducted for parents and teachers to identify warning signs, red flags and equip them with the resources to provide mental health first-aid. Having people working at a ground-level on a day to day basis to break the stigma and make mental health more accessible.
 
Taken by: Tanay Chaskar, Member of Blogging and Writing Team
Edited by: Nysa Jain, Founder and Head of Workshops