Support and Supportive

The ongoing pandemic has taken a toll on our physical and mental health, as we barely survived through 2020 balancing life in and out of lockdown. However, the new normal now is neither new nor normal by any standards as many have even forgotten how life was pre-Covid. With newer variants of virus popping up in various parts of the world it seems there is no end to this situation. The blessed and healthy are now tired of this new routine and want a break, many have had their break and now settling in life. But, there are still millions caught in this whirlpool who see no end to their situations and hope for better days on the horizon.

Among them, many are either in quarantine due to infection or recovering or recovered completely. Not far behind them are our strong task force of health workers, scientists, government and private agencies helping to tackle the situation world over. They are our support system who with their knowledge and skills are helping each person possible to overcome the crisis. They are tirelessly working day and night to ensure there is minimum impact to our daily life and recovery is speedy. What most of us have taken for granted is, they too have their limitations like any of us, despite of the best and honest efforts there are casualties across the globe giving rise to frustrations and hate demonstrations.

The pandemic has bought to light various gaps be it infrastructure, systems, processes, lack of strategic implementations and attitudes. Despite all challenges, these task forces are working to their full capacity to help contain the spread of the virus. The only ask from us is to support their efforts. It will take a while to find and implement solutions to close these gaps. Solutions that would help everyone equally and be sustainable in the longer run. Patience is but a virtue.

The most important thing is we the people, not citizens of any nation, must be supportive of their efforts and back the higher cause. No government or private agency can work and implement regulations without the support of its people. It’s not us versus them but all of us together to ensure the guidelines are followed to help get the virus to the lowest levels. A loss of life in our family as painful and depressing as anyone’s else hundred miles away. The question we need to ask ourselves is are we supportive enough?

Mental health and wellbeing are at the tipping point for many of us across the globe. Under the given circumstances when everyone is facing stress and challenges we all must be mindful that each one will have a different coping mechanism. Some might find it easy to move on in life from a loss, however, many might struggle and find it hard to accept and share their feelings. They will look at their families, friends, relatives, neighbors and even strangers for emotional, financial at times even physical support. If such a support is available within time, they might cope well in due course of time. However, in absence of such a support they might reach out to the various agencies and volunteering groups to seek help. The current situation finds these agencies struggling and timely help might not be available leading to further degradation of mental health.

We know that once out thinking process takes a hit, our sense of balance is lost affecting our behavior giving rise to negative emotions. Someone aware enough might accept the fact and even seek out for help, but those who consider this as a shame, the situation might take them to the spiral path of negative and hard to cope emotions leading to catastrophic results. India is not known for its excellent health care and infrastructure and struggles for basic physical health, understandably mental health is not given its due importance, many still find it as a social stigma. There are high chances of many might not want to reach out and this includes our brave frontline workers who are under tremendous pressure.

There is still a lot to do in terms of awareness, acceptance, and behavioral changes to make mental health wellness a part of daily life. The ongoing mental health awareness week (10 – 16 May) is just a small step in that direction, to make us take a notice of our mental health not only in the current situation but for life. Even my association with mental health awareness and wellness went through neglect, ignorance, acknowledgment, acceptance and finally appreciation. Like many, I too neglected this crucial and critical wellness aspect for a while and even ignored those around who underwent stressful situations. I was introduced to how taking care of your mind was important for my work and life by large when I started working fresh out of college. This opened a whole new world for me, today looking back I find myself fairly equipped to take care of my own and those around me. I no longer find it as a stigma and acknowledge how mental stability helps all of us live our life well.

It will be great if we all can pay attention to anyone who starts to show either signs of frustration, negativity or loss of hope and talk to them proactively and positively. At times people just need a patient non-judgmental listener, nothing more. If possible, extend any help within reach. The last thing after the current pandemic we want is a mental health pandemic that would take years to eradicate. Remember, we are all in this together so ignorance, neglect, social media shaming, etc. won’t work for long and will take all of us down. Since the onset of the pandemic, we all have heard many around us facing some loss in their life, you might be hesitant to offer help, but it just takes few kind words, demonstration of care and empathy to help someone on the path of recovery.

Be their support if you can, if not, at least be supportive.