How has mental health stigma shaped our parental generation?
Written by: Keerthana Edited by: Nikitha R
Image Credits: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/understanding-mental-health-how-seek-help-when-needed-amrita-purohit/
When was the last time you casually used the word “depression” or “anxiety” in a sentence? Maybe today, maybe yesterday, maybe last week. But what does mental health mean to our elders? Is it overworking to the point of burnout? Probably going silent? Maybe getting a cat? Why has mental health stigma been prevalent in their generation as opposed to ours? Could the reason that our parents have awkwardness to discuss mental health be attributed to cultural and societal norms, is it a lack of exposure to mental health aid that the younger generations have. Let’s try and answer a few of these questions during this mental health awareness week.
WHO estimates that 1 in 4 people suffer from some form of mental health issues. Then how did the internalization of mental health issues become acceptable in the older generations? Ancient Indian texts states that man and the human life are intertwined, and a serene mind is the sign of vitality. Some of these texts present the oldest yet most modern form of counseling before our eyes. They detail ailments like anxiety, depression, burnout and somatization more scientifically than from a religious perspective. So, when is it that women started being applauded for taking on sacrifices for every family member and men started receiving a pat on the back for not shedding tears?
Younger generations have broken the a few locks of taboos placed on mental health awareness to a certain extent. The younger generation is more open to the idea of seeking professional help. Although statistics claim that people belonging to generation Z (1997-2012) are more likely to experience mental health issues than any previous generation, this could be attributed to two different key points. One being the elevated stress levels of today. The need to accomplish greatness before the age of 30. Or it could be that most concerns of the earlier generation were kept under wraps. The next step in completely dismantling the cynicism associated with the topic is to extend a helping hand of awareness to the older generation.
Image Credits: https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/parent-daughter-visiting-mental-health-professional_43314508.htm
Most mental health concerns take shape during the ages of 14 to 24. Poverty, abuse, drugs, loss of a loved one can all accelerate the concerns leaving the person helpless and isolated. It is heartbreaking to imagine our parents or grandparents not being able to speak up or seek help when they needed it. People who have faced mental health concerns and did not seek help can be categorized differently. Most carried on by inflicting the same trauma on the next generation.
Few broke the cycle of this generational trauma. The latter trend originated recently as late gen x-ers (post 1970s) became parents. Parents who broke the generational trauma have mostly created a safe space for their children to address their issues. But finding the voice to speak about their own struggles is a herculean task for most. Since we have fairly navigated the origin of taboos and the rise of a new dawn amongst generations regarding their mental health status, let’s dive into the importance of mental health awareness among parents.
Awareness among parents creates a safety net for the upcoming generation to rely on. Awareness also raises finer parents and parenting styles. Awareness also helps tackle the issue of childhood mental disorders according to a study conducted in the middle eastern region. Awareness can also be an aid in reducing broken familial bonds. Mental health concerns are equivalent to broken bones or a common fever. Each concern requires treatment or counseling of its own. If we do not let broken bones fester us or let fever get ahold of us, then why let mental health be just an option? Seek assistance till our glass is half full. Extend the helping hand once our glass overflows.
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