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Stigma in general and India (which is also changing).
Talking to a mental health or behavioral health professional is very powerful and can be a huge unlock.
Getting stressed about grades to job often is just an example of getting stressed about failure, it’s not a small thing if it’s consuming your life or important enough to you.
I’d encourage, recommend, support etc etc.And if anyone wants to talk more or anything, happy to help.
Also, to be clear, I have used such help extensively and it have been on a lot of value to me. I am also considered traditionally successful (mbb partner). I’m stating this mostly to let anyone and everyone know seeking such help is not a bad thing and it doesn’t “imply” anything about who you are and what you can achieve.
Not from India, but speaking as a born Pakistani, I can confirm that there is a huge stigma around mental health in our countries. There’s a Shah Rukh Khan movie about this issue that I recommend. Just look at the number of suicides that sadly take place back home.
Dear Zindagi is the movie. Worth a watch.
It's only human to want someone to talk to when you are having problems in life. In India you are surrounded by family and friends so there's no need for an additional counselor. In the US people are much more independent and often live away from family starting from a young age, so when they run into problems it can be harder to find the right person to talk to. A counselor is a good option in that situation.
They're also trained professionals who can be more objective about a situation than your family/friends might be. I think it's a practical and helpful suggestion.
More family oriented yes, but not all desi families undertake an objective approach or do they have the kind of “step outside of the issue” and suggest ideas to problem solve or be non-judgemental to the one seeking guidance/help. A trained psychologist is the better way to go irrespective of where one lives. Now one might have a better support system with easier access to family and friends but certainly not a replacement for therapy. People who try to brave it without therapy could harbor so many insecurities, biases, or emotional baggage that it takes years to undo and it is detrimental to their own mental health and others around them
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I think the stigma is less cultural and more generational. Seeking therapy has definitely helped me organize my thoughts better and deal with pressures in life (big or small). This also has nothing to do with my family. I have a huge support network and we are very close to each other in my family. But my family members are NOT my therapists. When I am upset, I dont use them as punching bags. Regardless of how much support I have, I appreciate the professional and unbiased opinions of my therapist on how to navigate my life..
I also have cousins in Karachi who are in therapy so I am not sure if this has much to do with culture
Rising Star
Big stigma in India. Everyone needs a therapist at some point. In India the babas and the Devi’s take the place of therapists. Why do you think every baba has such cult like following - everyone has some sort of issue- which they would solve for if they just went to a therapist instead of listening to a baba.
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I was born in India and I still sought out a therapist in college as well as when working in New York. There should be no stigma around it. I’d say combing the therapy thing with meditation when you need it and you’ll set yourself up for success.
I have been seeing one for two months now and there has been a significant shift in my mindset and how I deal with life and my rships. I talk to my family and friends openly about it in my effort to normalise it.