There is still a very strong stigma attached in our country for meeting a Mental Health professional. It is often at the cost of suffering in silence, added burden to the individuals. A lot of them even not aware that their issue can be better managed with a professional support. I remember a certain client who reported to me that the individual had been suffering from low mood, problems with sleep, not able to have proper and positive interaction with family, spouse and come in with significant distress and lack of hope. With professional help the client reported of significant improvement in a month's time and expressed regrets for having suffered in silence and giving weightage to what others would say rather than how it would help. I realised its a mask of being unnecessarily someone else that we are not at times is the cause remember that it is ok to be not ok.
We have always been a society that would work our way through problems and if we look into our history even kings had ministers and learned men who provided solution in the mind level and helped the kings out of problems by merely changing the perspective remember the stories of Birbal or Tenali ramakrishna. In today's time the role of these wise men are taken by the professionals be it Psychiatrists or Clinical psychologist. They are individuals who are trained to understand human behaviour in dept and hence they would be able to influence changes and lesser your problems. They can help you shoulder them with greater strength and courage. Also having worked with trainees into this profession Im aware of the skills set that is imparted to ensure that they can deliver to the people in need. It does takes years of study and practice. I remember another instance when I had started off as a young practitioner I was questioned by a client that being young and inexperienced how could i help him with his marital problem I replied with a smile that I’m a trained professional in the course of the session if you find me incompetent you are free to leave. It was my shere knowledge clinical training that was able to instill that faith in people that I encounter that me and my fellow colleagues are here and we can make a difference in your lives.
So when you feel that you are encountering a problem that is causing significant distress in your work, family, personal, social or spiritual life you can very well approach us. I have had the privilege of working with clients who have consulted me not because they had a problem but for just enhancing their quality of life or even to ensure that they are parenting the right way and needed suggestions to improve. We are in the world of smartphones and many things that are smart but then why are we still not smart when it come to our own psychological well being. So next time you encounter a problem or see someone known to you suffering in silence get smart and tell them its ok to meet a therapist.