Delusional Society

Mental health has always been a core component of practical systems. The sanity of the human consciousness paved a path from savagery to modernity. The same brains that cared nothing about relations and hope developed over time into a complex organ that runs on emotions.

“REACH OUT!”

This is a phrase many of us might have heard or seen, at least in social media. This phrase is supposed to encourage people to reach out for help when they are depressed. When considering this option, the first instinct is to open up to one’s parents. This option is sometimes a waste of time as most parents believe that their children are superhuman beings incapable of letting them down. The deep, dark abyss of self-loathing could not possibly weigh them down. They will probably convince children that it is just a phase and that they will get over it. The same children lull themselves to sleep at night with a heavy heart and teary eyes, finding comfort in their pillows. The next morning, they paste a convincing smile on their faces and set off to achieve the impossible. Humanity has thus raised mechanical men with their feelings hidden deep inside a pit they cannot even locate.

There might be an opinion that this makes people strong. Yes, this process will make them strong if they confront their demons. Lack of emotions does not mean that a person’s heart suddenly transforms into steel. Society sometimes puts immense pressure on people, either expecting diamonds or with the sole purpose of crushing their will. “It is becoming increasingly clear that young people are facing the greatest risk of suffering from symptoms of depression and anxiety”. A research conducted in Britain indicates that many people, especially millennials, are simply not getting the same joy from previously loved hobbies, friends and even family. Alongside this lack of enjoyment, many people are reporting an increase in desire to be aloof from other people and social situations. This is followed by low self-esteem, an increase in substance abuse, and the loss of the ability to carry out simple functions without overthinking. The person might eventually try to harm himself/herself. 

Friendship is a great stress buster. This applies till then when you realize that their lives are going great even without you. The actual problem arises when you come to the conclusion that your life revolves around them. They are the sun to your universe, while you, always being a problem, are doing what you do best, pulling people down. The few people who love and understand you might try to make you feel better, but they, like others, don’t know the root cause of your problem. They don’t see your emptiness or lack of will, but they consider making you feel better.

‘JOKER’, the thriller movie released in 2019, is a classic example of the extent to which society pushes people to extremes. The main character suffers from the pseudo-bulbar effect, where he starts laughing for no particular reason. The man is treated with minimum respect and concern. He goes on a killing spree in Gotham City- the abode of his humiliation. He has a large fan base in the city -people who support him by wearing Joker masks. This is a collective representation of the feelings of the people who are affected mentally by the hierarchies in society.

There are humans who understand the twisting ache at the back of your head. Non-Governmental Organisations like AASRA strive towards a better tomorrow for everyone. Maithri, an institution in Kochi, has adopted the objective of befriending the friendless. People who are too shy to talk about their crisis can also send letters and e-mails to these organisations.

Ignorance triumphs. Maybe, Maybe not. Not all the time, anyway. Hope for mankind is not yet extinct.