Let’s Talk About It…

What has now become in fashion is the term ‘breaking news’, and if it suits the regime’s agenda, then it’s we are drowned under the same cringy clippings on a loop, with unnecessary commentaries. It’s endless, we are shown the same news item in a hundred different ways.

We have also seen the equivalent happen when a well-known figure/superstar personality/celebrity causes a sensation or passes away mysteriously. The ugly media vultures swoop down in hordes, not out of compassion or any form of care but for a news bite. Anything that will sensationalise… bring breaking news… increase their TRPs.

It has become nothing less than revolting watching news channels that exercise no restraint while propping up the ‘clowns’. It’s even worse in the face of a tragedy when the media and politicians exercise no restraint in handling a delicate situation.

How difficult is it for the media to step away and let a family mourn during such a tragedy? I speak here of the recent anti-terrorism operation where we lost five bravehearts.

Family and friends need to grieve. They need privacy and time alone. They do not need vultures shoving mikes into their faces, invading homes and climbing walls just to get a peek into what is happening in a very personal space.

Anchors of television news shows seem to have no sense of shame. Have they no humanity left in them? It appears they are more like parasites, leeches sucking the blood of their victims.

It has been equally disturbing to see them shaming someone because of mental health issues. The word ‘suicide’ is being tossed around as if it is a dirty word. Some are insinuating all kinds of things that could be wrong in a person’s life.

It is nobody’s business really. The corporate media is beyond empathy, and are only lusting after a story. The recent cyberbullying incidents that have come to light shed some worrying statistics. The top three countries where cyberbullying is the most prevalent are India, Brazil, and the United States.

Unfortunately, this is becoming a common occurrence everywhere. Social media statistics show that over 65% of parents around the world cite cyberbullying on social media as one of their greatest worries. The statistics show that cyber bullying suicides are up by an alarming number.

Another important issue that I would like to address here is that a person is not a coward when they feel death by suicide is an option. You have to understand their state of mind, the distress they must be going through to take such a step and end their life.

Inflicting self-pain in a conscious mind is not cowardice, rather a bold decision taken due to the turmoil the person is going through. Who are we to judge and form opinions especially when social media is full of the ugly, the mean and the wicked.

No one has a clue as to what the other person is going through in his/her life unless they exercise the option to speak out, reach for help or seek professional help. Depression is an everyday battle and more people need to be aware of it.

Depression is real, and many people have to deal with this struggle. They may be all smiles and happy when around people, but on the inside it is different. However, depression is not something to be ashamed of.

Suicidal tendencies are born out of depression amongst other things. It is not a decision taken to run away from life as people insinuate and dismiss mental illness with a shrug in a rather off hand manner.

When your pain to live life on a daily basis supersedes the pain to end your life, that's when your suicidal tendencies are formed. Depression is a clinical illness which is difficult to understand for those who haven't been through it - an illness like any other.

If we all have a kind word to say to such people and direct them towards a professional rather than stigmatising mental health issues, I am pretty sure more people can be assisted to recover from depression or at least be helped to cope with it better.

Mental illness affects many people daily and there is absolutely no humour in it. It's not funny at all to throw insensitive jokes around and hurt people in so many ways. It is not funny either to reject people suffering from mental illness.

More importantly each person is made differently, and reacts to diverse life situations and stimuli in their own way. When things go wrong they just do without much reason and dealing with it never comes easy.

Everyone can have mental issues, whether it is chronic stress, depression or a complex illness like bipolar disorder. Calling someone a coward is the easiest thing you can do when you don't have the flexibility to stand in their shoes for a moment.

It is not they who lack the courage but you who lack the empathy and basic humanity. We need to do a lot collectively to lessen or do away with the stigma that accompanies mental health issues.

At this time, the current situation with the surge in student’s suicides has been a major concern. It is a scary time. But it is also a time when we can be there for each other, be supportive, helpful and caring.

Be human. Reach out to everyone out there that needs a shoulder. I am going to put this in simple English: stop rejecting people with mental illness and stop making it a taboo topic. Let’s talk about it.

There are no words when a young soul’s life is cut short by the cruel hands of fate. The media needs to exercise restraint and report delicate situations in a mature manner, it is critical. You cannot play around with people’s lives.