Human life is full of ups and downs. Some lapses are momentary Some falls are severe and the agony suffered amounts to mental pain. For those who lose their way in life there is help through counselling. On Sunday (October 10) all the nations plan to celebrate World Mental Health Day. Often humans who can’t cope with stress and rejection take a fall in life. In most instances the victims were left helpless because they had no one to talk to. A patient listener can often play the role of ‘psychiatrist’ till professional help arrives.

Institutions like Consumer Action Network Mental Health Lanka (CANMH) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) have done yeoman service in catering to the needs of mentally challenged individuals. 

We saw how some mentally stressed out sections of the Sri Lankan society suffered during the past at the time of the tsunami and during the period of the civil war. The survivors of both disasters escaped death, but not the trauma they generated. 

World Mental Health Day has been celebrated since 1992. This year the theme for the occasion is ‘Mental Health Inequal World’. All religions advocate that all people are equal. But when stigma sets in after a period of being under medication for depression an individual is rejected and goes into isolation. But thanks to the dedicated doctors and support staff in healthcare institutes and hospitals these patients are able to step back into society. 
One can remember the time when Mental Health Specialist F.R Mehta was in sri Lanka, about a decade ago, and spread the word using many platforms that ‘mentally challenged’ individuals musn’t be shunned from society. He was at that time working closely with the NIMH. We have a culture of praying to the dieties, but one former mentally challenged individual was once quoted in a newspaper interview stating that ‘It’s doctors like Mehta-living individuals on earth-who are the real Gods for us’. 

The pandemic was tough for all of us, but it added to the weight on the shoulders of mentally challenged people. Lack of resources, mental health services and dedicated mental health service personnel hasn’t helped Sri Lanka in the cause of treating mentally challenged people in keeping with wishes as desired. The number of instances when mentally challenged people being exploited by institution heads and even family members is alarming. And in this world of pain, uncertainty, tranquilizers and great suffering a few recover fully and step back into the society. These individuals must be given an opportunity to tell their inspirational stories to the world and make people contribute as volunteers and philanthropists to lift those who have taken a fall mentally. 

Transformation doesn’t happen only in the wild. Humans experiencing agony also often take the path of the caterpillar becoming butterfly. This trauma and agony people face can make them strong and beautiful, but for all that to happen patience and understanding are needed.