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Remember the last time you had a stomach ache or a headache? We don’t usually shy away from talking about it, telling others that we are not all too well, that things are not quite hunky-dory with us? In fact, we and our loved ones treat it with utmost care from the get-go. Additionally, if the pain turns unbearable, seeking medical help from a professional is the unspoken rule. Why then, do we put off the same idea when it comes to our mental health?
It would be unfair to state that no progress has been made in this sphere in India. Over the past half-decade, we have seen heightened conversations around mental health all over social media, More people are coming forth and sharing their experiences. The initiative has also received encouragement from a few prominent personalities urging to seek help. Having visible instances of how mental health is no different from one’s physical health is an important aspect of allowing people to believe that after all, having mental health issues (believe it or not!) is nothing to fear or be ashamed of.
However, a question very few seem to bring up regarding mental health is, “What next?”
Quite thankfully, an abundance of material for mental health awareness exists on the internet, but what really is the next step?
The same query stirred the minds of Anushka Kelkar and Aviva Bhansali, both researchers and content creators in the mental health space, which resulted in the inception of Therapize India.
Therapize India does not aim to spread awareness about mental health — they do that by default. Their main aim is to go beyond awareness and employ action. Their curation of therapists is based on various categories such as hourly rates, languages spoken, and specialisation.
“The pandemic brought a lot to light. There has been traction around mental health, but not so much around mental health care, as such,” says Aviva, as she explains the gap that exists in the discourse around mental health. While ‘mental health is important’ is constantly visible on our social media feeds, the lack of information around therapists, how much they charge, their qualifications, their availability and the like is almost absent. Having no idea how to go about looking after one’s mental health ailment after realising its existence is a demotivator like no other. It is imperative to reach out to the right kind of help, and Therapize began with that very idea in mind — to focus on providing mental health care promptly.
Whether they knew it or not, both Anushka and Aviva had recognised the need for a collection or curation of resources for mental health care long ago. “We used to have so many people asking us for therapist recommendations, and we used to send them therapists’ profiles individually,” explains Anushka. Through Therapize, this process does much more than just take the individual weight off their shoulders — it places importance on mental health care while tending to the needs of a large number of people at once.
Anushka adds, “Many people, including influencers, do share contact details of therapists online. However, there was no way for us to know how many people actually reaching out through that. The help stopped at one level.”
Taking the mental health conversation a step further from the requirement of care, Therapize also encourages to seek the right kind of help. It is a no-brainer to seek and choose particular doctors in matters of physical health, but when it comes to mental health, that step usually goes amiss do to a lack of information. Anushka and Aviva encourage therapy-seekers to do their due diligence before going to a therapist and mention that asking therapists for their specific qualifications upfront is completely acceptable.
For many, reaching the aforementioned steps is a big ask. In India, the topic of mental health is not part of your usual dinner-table conversation. Admitting to one’s parents the need for mental health care is a mammoth task, and there is no right or wrong way to do it, considering everyone shares a different relationship with their parents.
“Speaking to them in their language is imperative,” suggests Aviva. It may not be the wisest decision to spring it on them as a foreign concept and expect them to understand it straight away. Alas, we were once unaware of mental health too. “Put it across as a lifestyle choice rather than a negative event. Making it sound earth-shattering will not help,” she explains.
The mere nature of mental health in India makes matters much more complex than they should be. For a country that runs largely on fear, mental health care is almost like a forbidden concept. This, however, does not reduce its importance, significance or even existence.
The sensitivity associated with mental health and therapy remains the top priority of team Therapize India. We hope that with their efforts, it’s quick to become India’s numero uno priority too.
You can find Therapize India here.
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