The Long Road Ahead

World Mental Health Day. It’s a day plastered with hashtags, green ribbons, and inspirational quotes. But for me, it’s a day of personal reflection, a reminder of a journey that started long before I even knew what a stroke was.

See, growing up, mental health wasn’t something we talked about. It was swept under the rug, hidden away like a shameful secret. My Mother my grandparents – they came from a generation where you kept your struggles private, where appearances mattered more than anything. “We don’t air our dirty laundry in public,” my grandmother used to say.

So, when I had a stroke at 22, the physical challenges were just the beginning. The emotional turmoil, the anxiety, the depression – those were the battles mostly fought in silence, the wounds that didn’t show on the surface. I was surrounded by love and support, but there was an unspoken barrier when it came to talking about my mental health. It was like there was this invisible script: “You’re young, you’re strong, you’ll bounce back.” And I tried to play the part, put on a brave face, and bury the fear and uncertainty that gnawed at me.

But here’s the thing: pretending to be okay doesn’t make you okay. It just creates a more bottomless chasm between who you are and who you pretend to be. And that chasm can become a breeding ground for anxiety, self-doubt, and isolation.

The turning point came when I finally found the courage to speak up, to break the family code of silence and admit that I was struggling. It was challenging. There were tears, uncomfortable conversations, and a sense of vulnerability that I’d never experienced before.

But it was also the most liberating experience of my life. Because in that moment of vulnerability, I found strength. I found a connection. I found a community of support that I never knew existed.

Talking about my mental health wasn’t a magic cure, but it was the first step on a journey of healing, a journey that continues to this day. It’s a journey that taught me the power of vulnerability, connection, and the life-changing power of seeking help.

And that’s the message I want to share this World Mental Health Day. It’s okay not to be okay. It’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to break the silence, to challenge the stigma, and to create a culture where mental health is prioritized, not stigmatized.

I live in quotes these days, so here is one I found that summarises this well
“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” – Confucius
Every conversation, every act of support, every step towards breaking the stigma is a small stone carried away from the mountain of silence and shame that surrounds mental health. Together, we can move that mountain, one stone at a time.

Thank you for listening. Thank you for being part of this conversation. And thank you for joining me on this journey towards a world where mental health is prioritized, not just on World Mental Health Day, but every single day.

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