by Dr Bhavi Mody, co-Founder, www.Mentagram.in

A 22-year-old girl going through depression. Parents were concerned about her wellbeing since she had started remaining aloof, was not eating and hardly sleeping since the time she had a break up.  She feels worthless and that it’s no use talking since no one understands her. Parents say  that we are doing everything we can and as it is they had told this girl that the boy was not the right choice for her.

Many such girls and boys go through these difficulties, where they have hard times on account of their relationships, having difficult letting it go, since often they tell me that we have invested so much of ourselves in the relationship, we understand but it’s difficult. This Syndrome I call ‘Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahi’

Another boy going through significant stress in college since his birthday is approaching and he is finding it difficult to come up to the expectation of his high flying friends. He, already, on account of meeting the needs often steals from home, has already indebted others and now this Birthday he has gone and sold mothers jewellery, hence brought to me for frequent lying and stealing. This syndrome I call ‘Pagalpanti’(obsession)

Third case of a girl getting addicted to the net, hooked on to different chat rooms, caught having a video nude with her net friend.  she could not sleep and had falling grades in education.

What can one do to address these issues?

These youngsters today have to go through significant stress and emotional conflicts. They often find it difficult to confide either in their friends since either they don’t trust them or would not want to reveal their weaknesses. Also, as families are shrinking and parents too often find it difficult to give adequate time to the child or by the time child has attained teenage, their relations with parents have developed so much of turbulence that communication is often perceived as a barrier.

These barriers often are conceived in the minds of the youth and make it difficult to seek emotional recourse to their issues. Anxiety, Depression & Addiction are the resultants of this. Other psychological manifestations would include aggression, negative self-image, bulimia, anorexia and procrastination.

Over years of experience we understand that the society at large is not ready to address these very issues that are so very important for the growth of their wards.

Parents find it difficult to discuss these things and children even though they may understand that something is going berserk and they must seek guidance do not know where to go.

Mentagram helps connect these youths/ parents with Mental Health Professionals across the country, helping them reach out to mental health professionals providing them with convenience, comfort and a discreet and non- threatening environment to share their feelings and find a meaningful recourse to their difficulties.

It provides scientific mental health information and a battery of assessments to check for internet addiction, alcohol dependence, check for their hope scale and many such parameters to help them make informed decision for their mental health.

Adolescents in India are one of the largest population globally. Also adolescent suicides in our country are the highest 148/100000 compared to 14.5 globally. Mentagram intends to reach out to these youths and ensure that Mental Health is Accessible – Available and Affordable to All.

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