Mental Health. Tragedy. Rant

The kid was crying for help, but nobody understood.

Maybe it wasn't the usual way of asking for help. His thoughts were irrational, he had lost his comprehension, and he couldn't gather his thoughts. He kept running away, yet he tried reaching out. He may not have said the right things—that's why he was labeled a crazy kid. But that was the sign. It was clear.

How were all the signs of his desperate need for help ignored? Why was it not addressed? Why did his cry for help become more of an agenda for gossip and discussion than an issue to be resolved? Why was the matter brushed under the rug? Why was the worry more about society than the kid himself? Why did family prestige take precedence over the real priority, the real issue? It was never something to hush or brush off, but that's how it was approached. For what? How can the damage be reversed now?

He is not coming back!

I am so angry. I have so many questions. What could have opened your eyes to see the matter with more sensitivity? Why was denial chosen over reality? Everything was crystal clear and absolutely apparent to anyone—but what more was needed for this kid to receive the care he deserved, the care he needed? But what's the point? I'm not even seeking answers.

Because really—what's the point? He is gone forever!

I have all these big feelings of anger, frustration, and utter disappointment. Yet, I am not entirely surprised because deep inside I knew this day might come, and unfortunately, it did.

I am sorry, kid. I am sorry that you did not get the care you needed. I am sorry that other things took priority over your health. I am sorry that you did not receive the love you deserved. I am sorry that we could not help you. I am sorry that when you become families within a family, it's not as easy to intervene as one thinks. I am sorry I could not do anything. The shame and helplessness are real.

I hope you are finally at peace though. I hope you can rest well. I don't know what the afterlife looks like, but if there is one, I hope you are loved, prioritized, and cared for.

 Rest easy, kid!

A few weeks ago, we lost a young family member to a mental health issue. It was not entirely shocking to some of us given the way the situation was handled, but that does not make it any less tragic. As someone who advocates for mental health, it is utterly frustrating to see something like this happen in my own family. Unfortunately, I have also been learning that many things happen within your family, but you cannot do anything about it. No matter how much you are passionate about issues like this and want to make people aware, when people do not want to see the things you want them to see, you cannot do anything about it.

I have so much to say about this issue to those concerned, yet I know they are not going to listen to me. So, this is my rant about what happened. I will have to do more research and write on mental health issues and stigma in the days to come, but for now, I just want to say: Please do not ignore any signs of mental health issues. Please be proactive about anything you notice and address it before it progresses too far. Nothing is more important than your health or your family member's health. Forget about school, career, society (especially society), and whatever you think precedes your and your loved ones' health. Nothing is more important than being healthy in every way.

Please approach sensitive issues with the sensitivity they require. I cannot stress that enough. I am tired of people casually bullying those with mental health issues and approaching the topic with absolute insensitivity. Please teach your parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, whoever needs to be taught or made aware of these issues. I know it’s hard. I have experienced this firsthand myself. There is so much to be done in this area, especially in Nepali society. The stigma and shame attached to mental health are so big that it cost us a person in our family. Sometimes it's a tough barrier to break but keep trying. It's a big battle to fight. But choose to fight it regardless.

Even if you cannot do anything, show love to the people around you. My greatest realization lately has been this: when they say "Love heals"—that was not pulled out of thin air. It holds profound truth in those two words. Show love and be kind to people.

Thank you for reading my rant.

Please take care of yourself and those around you. Your health and well-being matter above all else.

Take care!

See you in the next blog post!