What mental health means to me- Hrishita Chatterjee

Mental health... an intangible construct which has generated many discussions, arguments and opinions and standup comedy shows. However, to summarise certain facts attained from all the theories regarding mental health- any human being has got a few needs. They can be divided into 2 categories- our biological needs and our socio-psychological needs. The second category is often overshadowed and not given much consideration.

However, because it is a basic human need and a basic human right, the lack of access to it is simply unfair to the people being denied it. It is the responsibility for the people with privilege to help those who don’t have it. Thus Hrishita Chatterjee would like to be an active participant of the community.

According to me, the most important thing that should be taught to children is the ability to see things from different points of view. It is an extremely important skill especially in this time frame. This expands and develops the ability of the mind and gives individuals their rationality. It erases a certain ‘small-mindedness’ which prevails in their minds and allows them to think other than the stigmas they have been taught to believe. The reason why this is so important, as most children, owing to their social-location and economic conditions are made to believe that their feelings and emotions do not matter. This is complete false. Believing otherwise is more of an impossibility for them unless they are rational thinkers, taught to have their own individual opinions and interpretations.

Educating the children in English is not the agenda of the community, however doing so will provide them with greater access to information and knowledge. This can even help them to get jobs more easily

The community can sell e-waste and junk to generate funds to buy stationary for the kids and pay small sums to the people working for the community to boost their productivity. ‘Value for value’.

We should of course encourage the children to express all their thoughts and discomforts and educate them controlling one’s emotions or creative ways of expressing them (example poetry). We should educate them on topics such as happiness and compassion.

To conclude, I look forward to working with the YANA community to help the underprivileged and be one step closer to making the world understand the importance and power of mental health.

- Hrishita Chatterjee