Mental health awareness

We talk about mental health awareness but are we really aware?

Tests says 1 out of every 5 person is dealing with mental health issues. Issues like ADHD, anxiety, stress, depression etc. But we are not yet comfortable to talk about mental health problems, not because we don’t want to but due to judgement.
In recent years, “mental health awareness” has become a widely used phrase. We see it in campaigns, social media posts, and school programmes. Yet, despite this increase in visibility, a crucial question remains: Are we truly aware?
Most people think it’s just a phase and not a real issue. Even celebrities are expressing their mental health issues yet till date it stands as ‘that’s nothing, you’re overthinking it”
In today’s world where the competition is so high and there’s so much pressure to excel and fulfill assigned tasks, mental health issue has become very common due to all the stress and anxiety. Children from a very young age are becoming competitive, which is definitely good but extreme level stress to be on the top is draining the children. Extra pressure from parents to become the best at everything is adding to it. Issues like depression and anxiety is arising in children and most of them aren’t able to explain themselves.
Mental health issues are still misunderstood by people. People consider therapy or medical help for mental health is only to cure people who’ve “lost their minds completely” as in gone mad. Mad is the term some people still use to address people with mental health disorders. Due to such judgements people are scared to express themselves. Most people discard it as nothinh but ‘just a phase’ or they are seeking attention. 
Phases like “there are bigger problems in the world” and “you’ve everything why are you depressed?” are still put to use just to minimalise or discard the fact that one can suffer mental health issues and its a legit problem. Even celebrities like Deepika Padukone talked about her sufferings with mental health yet its still not impactful to the world.
Especially in India, though there is a rise in education rate and educated people yet their low mentalities haven’t changed, for some. Although conversations around mental health have increased, stigma continues to silence many. People fear being judged or discriminated against, so they hide their emotions. In schools, students hesitate to approach teachers; in workplaces, employees avoid talking about stress; in families, mental health is often treated as a taboo topic. This silence can make conditions worsen over time, sometimes leading to tragic consequences like deterioration of physical health.
Suicide rates have increased, only because the mental burden is becoming too much bare alone.Access to mental health resources is another challenge. Awareness without support systems is incomplete. Many communities lack trained counsellors or affordable therapy options. Even when resources exist, people may not know how to seek help. Mental health education must therefore be practical—it should not only teach what mental health is, but how to ask for help, where to go, and why taking help is normal. Physical health issues are prominent and can be potrayed in a machine while the diagnosis of mental health issues are completely different. It required therapy, counseling and even in extreme cases medicines. It can lead to blackouts or worse conditions. Mental health issues also effect the physical health and worsens a person’s overall development and growth.
Real awareness requires self-awareness. We often ignore our own mental health signs: burnout, constant irritability, prolonged sadness, or emotional numbness. We push ourselves to “stay strong,” not realising that strength also includes asking for support. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Crying or Venting out means you’ve stayed strong for too long and now its time to rest your mind and give it the care it needs. Mind needs equal care like body for proper functioning of a being. Building mental health awareness means learning to check in with ourselves and prioritise well-being the same way we prioritise academic or professional success.

In conclusion, mental health awareness has grown significantly, but awareness alone is not enough. We must move from knowing to understanding, from talking to supporting, and from awareness campaigns to actual change in attitudes and behaviours. Only then can we say that we are truly aware. Real awareness means listening without judgment, recognising the signs, encouraging help-seeking, and treating mental health with the seriousness it deserves. When society embraces these changes, we can create a world where every individual feels seen, supported, and valued.