Globally more than 300 million people of all ages suffer from depression and at worst it can lead to suicide! (World Health Organization statistics)
“Another boring blog!” Some of you might already want to skip reading the rest of it; I might as well, until now.
Because until it affects someone we love, we don’t even know it’s there, it’s really not our problem, so why should we care?
It was May 7th, 2010, Akash’s 24th Birthday. My best friend, my confidant and one of the craziest, wackiest friends in the group we ever had. As the clock stroked 12, I picked up my phone and called to wish him. I called him thrice to a dead tone, no one answered. I slept thinking I might as well go to his place first thing in the morning and surprise him.
I woke up at 7 and switched my alarm off. My phone rang a couple of moments later. His name flashed on my mobile. I picked up and screamed “Happy Birthday”.
Momentarily silence and a stranger’s voice from the other end said “He is no more, he hanged himself!” The rest of the conversation is a blur, but it’s a morning that will never, ever leave me and that conversation replays in my mind over and over and over many times a week.
Isn’t it strange, how few short seconds can lead someone’s life in a whole new direction? One single incident in life can alter your own reflection; can change your entire perspective of life!
The horror of my friend’s passing hit me hard. The thought that all of those deep and meaningful conversations had now ended — that he had literally taken my secrets to his grave — shattered me.
As we tried to console ourselves, what bothered me was how a seemingly happy person like him can, do something drastic like that to his life. What could have made him do that?
Though no one could even picture the mental agony he must have gone through right before the moment he decided to take his own life, that suffocation, that mental block, that feeling of utter uselessness, that helpless feeling that he is all alone in the world, that cry of pain that no one, just no one could understand what he is going through.
I tried to picture his entire life now, trying to analyze could we have stopped him from doing that?
He lost his mother in a car accident a year back. He often used to tell us he was closest to her and her absence instills voids in him. His father was a busy man and he hardly get to see him.
Few months back, he failed to get admission in his dream college due to low scores and had to settle for another ‘low key’ college.
That did change him I guess; he stayed at home more, talked less, ate less, which he called ‘diet’. If he was with us, he would get drunk, not the one we all enjoy. That was different; he would just sit and drink glass after glass. Whenever we tried to have a conversation, he would just laugh and say we are being melodramatic.
I can never forget what he said once and now it echoes in my mind every single day. I was having an argument with him on his changed behavior and was forcing him to visit a counselor.
He simply replied “Being lost at sea was a comfort!” and walked away.
I called his father immediately and told him how worried we were for him and he agreed to take him to a counselor right after his birthday which was two days from then. Yes! the same fateful day he took his life!
If only, we realized the seriousness of the situation much earlier, if only we could have made him talk, if only he received help.
Instigating major, but necessary, change in our life can be just as painful.
It changes us all for better and worse but we have to realize no matter how bad it may seem, or how alone you may feel, others are always there to help.
That’s a very touching write-up and very well articulated. Great going.
Thanks a lot😊
Very well written Ashrita! Depression is an illness too which needs to be treated by a psychiatrist. And this should not be taken lightly. We need to spread awareness about this disease and recognize symptoms of it in our near and dear ones. Kudos to you girl for writing on this topic!
Thanks a lot! Thats so true, its all about communication, I am glad you liked it.
That’s so relatable, we all go through such phases in life and those are the times we need to believe in ourselves the most! Thanks for sharing this!
That’s true..depression has became a deadliest disease….I like your writing
That’s true! Thanks a lot, I am glad you liked it.
Pleasure is mine…arshita
Great piece of work dear. Keep it up.
Thanks a lot😊
Depression is such a real thing. I struggled with it in the past and have to constantly remind myself of my blessings to keep me out of that pit. Thanks for such a great post!
Thanks a lot. I believe as long as we communicate, someone will always be there for us. Never lose hope in self, we all can make a huge difference. Take care!
Heartbreaking incident😢.u cant feel the agony unless someone close to u does it or goes thru it, but u made it feel so sureal for strangers like me n many more. Sorry for ur loss!! Great writing there n i appreciate ur skills. Keep inspiring us n all d best. Hope to see u guys soon. sayuja( new jersery).
Jersey.. typo😬
Thanks a lot Sayuja. I am glad I was able to put the message across and you could relate. Take care.
Its so lively. I can sense it. This blog is amazing
Thanks a lot. I am glad you liked it.
Very well written! Keep up the good work
Thanks a lot
God! It’s just heart touching. Your writing inspires and touches life. Loved it as it did brought back the memories!
Thanks a lot Kavyanjali for your kind words!
good work ma’am
Thanks a lot Shretha😊
The story made me cry because alot of people are having this same issues but when you identify it and talk about it, some people are not comfortable hearing it, while some think its they problem and they can solve it, first the person need to understand that he or she has this issue before seeing the counsellor and then the process of healing starts.nice post😍
That’s so true! The more we listen to our inner self, the more we tend to make the right decisions!
Yes, 😍
A little effort from our end can be a massive stride for someone stuck in a hurdle of its own. But sadly we all have an habit of thinking more and doing less. Your blog definitely gives a reason to reconsider the way we act, may be doing things like this more regular could be a big help for someone in need. Well done.
Thank you so much! I am so glad you could relate to it. It’s true we might need to be little more open to listen and observe. Guess it can save lives!
Loved this blog….. Keep up the good work…. Best of luck…..
Thanks a lot for liking and following😊
thank you for this post
I can understand, take care.
Very sad, my brother tried to take his own life when he was younger, so I know how it feels 🙁
well said, a topic that should be blogged about more and you wrote it well … there is always someone to help but such people cannot see that in the midst of their own grief! There is nothing more any of you could have done and by him leaving that way you will always have many unanswered questions … that’s the way it is, sorry for your loss
Thanks for understanding and your kind words. 😊 It was hard and we kept thinking how we could have made it right. But I soon realised, the best way is self-realisation that could only come through awareness, communications and being there for each other.
yes, sadly it’s a topic often avoided, if we talked about it more I sincerely believe people would reach out … professional help is the only safety valve once they are that low .. keep supporting each other so it doesn’t happen to anyone else 🙂
Brought back a horrid memory! You expressed it so beautifully. Keep up the good work!
Great read..well done Ashrita👍
Thanks a lot Jayshree. Thanks for following the blog. Take care😊
Yes I agree, someone is always ready to help. We just have to find him/her.
Absolutely, thanks for liking!
Your welcome dear😁