A renowned Tibetan Buddhist master once posed a fundamental question to everyone he encountered: “How is your mind?” It might be time for all of us to adopt this practice and candidly assess our own mental well-being, as well as extend this inquiry to those around us.
Looking at the statistics surrounding mental health, it becomes evident that the need for such introspection is paramount. Close to 60-70 million individuals grapple with both common and severe mental health disorders. Shockingly, India holds the unenviable title of being the world’s suicide capital, witnessing over 2.6 lakh cases of suicide annually. According to WHO, the average suicide rate stands at 10.9 per lakh people.
Yet, these statistics might merely scratch the surface due to the persisting stigma associated with mental health in India. Many individuals bear the weight of moderate to severe mental stress, navigating various challenges in their daily lives.
In a world where external progress often outpaces the development of inner wisdom, individuals find themselves grappling with profound emotional conflicts without possessing the necessary internal tools to address them. The abundance of material possessions can lead to external distractions, gradually disconnecting people from their inner selves.
As Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche profoundly states in “The Joy of Living”:
“When the pace of external or material progress exceeds the development of inner knowledge, people suffer deep emotional conflicts without any internal method of dealing with them. An abundance of material items provides such a variety of external distractions that people lose the connection to their inner lives.”
Dealing with overwhelming emotions and negative thoughts can be challenging, and sharing these struggles often feels even more daunting. Questions like “What will people think?”, “Will I be perceived as weak?”, and “Why can’t I handle my thoughts like others?” frequently arise. These concerns hinder open discussion about mental well-being. However, just as we seek medical attention for physical illnesses without hesitation, mental health awareness is equally, if not more, critical. The way people react to similar situations can vary greatly due to the quality and nature of their minds – their thoughts, feelings, emotions, and their capacity for emotional and spiritual intelligence.
According to WHO, “Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes their abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to contribute to their community.”
Numerous factors can influence mental health, necessitating timely intervention from trained professionals. While we all possess the potential for mental well-being, life experiences, such as trauma, environmental factors, lack of essentials, and emotional support, can shape our ability to navigate challenges.
The Mental Health Awareness Program (MHAP) represents a significant stride towards heightened awareness and mindfulness regarding mental well-being. MHAP’s primary vision is to normalize conversations about mental health – just as one would discuss physical health. The broader goal is to impart a deeper understanding of the mind’s workings and mental processes, drawing from psychology and ancient Indian wisdom practices like Vipassana (Vipashyana) meditation (vi-see the truth of reality, passana-to see). Furthermore, MHAP offers a platform headed by empathetic listeners, where individuals can openly and fearlessly share their thoughts.
Together, we embark on this journey of empathy and shared humanity, striving to better comprehend and nurture our mental well-being.
