Review By HARSIMRAN KAUR:
The book is your journey as a Bipolar. What are the two important learning for the readers?
APARNA:
- You can learn to live and thrive with a mental health condition. It is not a jail sentence.
- Close ones can be an ally to someone whom they know have a mental condition because working on mental health is a team effort.
HARSIMRAN KAUR: You had a great support system and the resources to take care of your illness. But, in reality, this is not how our society operates. It has a clustered mindset about mental illnesses. Reciprocation is lacking. What do you have to say about this?
APARNA: There has to be a conducive atmosphere in the family to handle these kinds of situations. We need to lessen the confusion. Family members have to come out in support of their loved ones suffering from any mental illness.
To make therapies affordable, list of resources have been given at the end of the book. They are not very expensive and can be looked at.
HARSIMRAN KAUR: In your book, you talk about caregivers who are empathetic and understanding. You also explain the relevance of listening. Have there been instances where people have showed a cold shoulder when you have tried to talk your heart out?
APARNA: I did not share any of my worst thoughts other than with my writing mentor. We are often afraid of judgment—people are not always prepared to receive and listen. An average person is not a therapist beyond a certain point. Though, it’s important to understand the psycho-social triggers.
HARSIMRAN KAUR: How can we create more awareness of mental illnesses in our country where feelings and words usually hide behind the curtain?
APARNA: We need to start talking about how we feel. Things have changed today. Friends and family have started listening, though the extent to contemplate about a mental disorder might take time. Companies and the corporate sector should engage in seminars and events where open talks can happen about mental illnesses.
I also feel the medical community should back this book as it will have a positive impact. The health care system should be more sensitized – we see physical ailments being addressed conspicuously but mental illness are not.
This book is also being translated to various languages so the reach is more and can make an impact.