What Mental Health means to me: Saisha Kapoor

Mental health is a topic that is often neglected in our society, and it's especially when it comes to teenagers. The impact of mental illness on a person's life can be significant, whether it's due to family or personal neglect. As a teenager, I have experienced this myself. Two years ago, my best friend passed away, and my mental health deteriorated rapidly. I refused to see my other friends and felt like I was drowning in my sadness. It was a dark period in my life, and I didn't know how to get out of it.

After I shifted schools and met some of my closest friends, they helped me realise that it was okay to move on from my friend's death. They also made me understand that it was okay to have people in my life who were on the same personal level that I was with her. The ten years of friendship I had built with her and lost, I had got it back in a year with them and I finally began to feel like myself again. 

Unfortunately, mental health issues are often dismissed, especially in Indian communities. Even counsellors sometimes deny that a child can have ADHD, depression, or in some cases, even PTSD. It's a reality that many of us face, and it's essential to raise awareness for these kinds of things on the platforms teenagers use the most. 

Thankfully, there are communities like The YANA Community that are working to do just that. They understand that mental health problems are real, and they work to remove the negative thoughts and stigmas that surround them. 

As someone who has experienced the impact of mental illness firsthand, I can understand the importance of communities like YANA. They help people to feel less alone and provide valuable resources for those who need them. Mental health is not something that should be dismissed, and it's important to have communities like YANA that remind us of that fact.

-Saisha Kapoor