Phoenix!

Here's something I call inspiring:

I had been to Institute of Psychological Health, i.e. IPH's award ceremony known as "Dwij Puraskar". "Dwij" refers to 'reborn'. IPH confers this award to those who have overcome their disorder or mental disability after accepting it, fighting it and also propagating importance of mental health!

When a person falls ill, what does he/she do? Go to the doctor, get treated and take medication till one is back to normal! How do you relate this to mental health? Here in lies the difference in point of view towards mentally ill people! People call them names, start teasing, demeaning, and stigmatizing them instead of taking them into confidence and understanding their vulnerability! A question you must rethink on: Do you call a physically ill person a defunct? Then, how justified is it to call a mentally ill person, mad?

The awardees were chosen from a list of 700 patients from all over Maharashtra. There were two categories: the patients (shubharthi) and the caretakers (shubhankar), 3 winners in each category. They received a trophy from eminent people from various fields like art, law, journalism, social work and governance.

The awardees were interviewed elaborately about their disorder, when did they realize that they were ill, how did they feel about it, who supported them, what was their response to treatment and what do they feel after receiving this award. It was a hair-raising experience to listen to them and brought tears in my eyes! They inspire! Yes, they are the everyday heroes!

The Shubharthis:

A young 23 year old girl, suffering from OCD, working as a chef in the hotel kitchen had a tough time facing the fact and fighting it, as she did not receive expected support from her parents. She was helped by her friends staying in India and abroad. They still support her. She has underwent the whole trauma by herself, taking it in her stride, going to the doctor on her own and taking the treatment till now. She did not stop there! She helps others who face this disorder by propagating appropriate information and encouraging them to seek a counselors help.

A 25 year old boy suffering from bi-polar disorder is today a teacher in the Dharavi slum area, teaching children in the slums, all the subjects! He has overcome his disorder and explained his condition in great detail specifying all the embarrassing moments in his life, right from the stage! He showed great courage and confidence! He had a strong will power to bring change in his life and a positive attitude in others’. He calls his disorder “Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gum”.

A middle-aged women, suffering from schizophrenia, now works as a school teacher in “aadhaar”, an NGO. She has overcome a great many difficulties. Her husband disowned her and left her to fetch for herself. She sought medical treatment from a doctor, instead of any superstitious “babaism”. She is still undergoing treatment. She went to Rajasthan recently, to encourage such patients to seek treatment without any fear in their mind!

Then, the “Shubhankars”:

There was a couple, who had 35 year old son who is schizophrenic and had run away from the house for a period of 15 days. They thought that they had lost their son now! But some person at the other end of the city, found him and as he had given them a proper phone number could call up his parents. It was a very touching experience because if their 35 year old son had not given the exact phone number, they would not be able to find him at all! It is really very difficult to digest the fact of losing one’s son!

The last story is of a man who has taken care of his wife as a true soulmate! His wife is a schizophrenic and undergoing treatment even now. He has never accused anyone for her disorder, even though it is an arranged marriage. I am making this statement because of the generalization of incidents of disowning one’s wife, in their caste as the man himself specified! He was advised by his family members to take her to a maulvi or baba that could cure her “bhoot badha” i.e. to get rid of a ghost residing in her! However, he never listened to them as he did not believe in it and instead took her to a doctor and a counselor. He started medication and also took care of her, at times feeding her as well. One day she ran away from the house at night. He realized it only after a few hours and then he crazily went searching for her to such an extreme thinking if she had jumped of the river bridge! Eventually, he found her in the far lying unconscious. He started weeping and took her in his arms repeating umpteen times that how could he have lived his life if she had killed her or done something disastrous! When asked how he felt when he received the award…he replied with great humility that “I have done nothing great to receive this award! I was just doing my duty as a husband towards my wife! I love her and will take care of her my whole life! Also, I urge all the people here, as I tell my villagers, that mental disorder can be treated, if you extend help to the patient with love and care, treat the patient as a human being and understand the person’s vulnerability.”

It taught me a lot, the humility, courteousness, sustainability, patience and most of all courage to fight back anything in life. Despite great and severe odds, these people rose to such a pinnacle and are living their lives ahead with the same spirit. Then, instead of crying over petty matters in my life I need to look at these motivational figures every time I face a problem in my life! I am sure it will help me grow better and stronger, mentally and emotionally!