This is my 5th consecutive year at #AtoZChallenge, what I love the most here is the sharing of knowledge and creation of quality intellectual property.
My previous themes have been:
2016- Life Lessons
2017- My favorite Writers
This time I have chosen MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS as my theme.
Though May is the month for mental health awareness, I thought April would be a good time to talk about it and at a widespread global platform like A to Z Challenge.
Mental Health is one of the four pillars of health and in our part of the world still riddled with deep stigma, taboo and lack of awareness.
Being a depression survivor myself and also an Oesteoid Oesteoma and Fibromyalgia survivor,both Chronic Invisible Illnesses that have huge mental heath implications, I think it is time we start building safe and non-judgmental spaces in India to talk about mental health.
I think it was only appropriate that I use my blog and the platform of #AtoZ to speak about mental health and contribute in my own small way towards awareness.
In 2015 a study conducted by the Word Health Organization indicated that one in five Indians may suffer from depression in their lifetime, equivalent to 200 million people.
Due to the stigma associated with mental illness, a lack of awareness, and limited access to professional help, only 10-12% of these sufferers will seek help.There is a huge need to sensitize and educate people about the signs and symptoms of mental illness and normalize the idea of seeking support for themselves and their loved ones.
You can sign up here for the A to Z Challenge if you are a blogger.
Or you can bookmark this blog as a reader to be my companion on this journey!
What a beautiful theme this is, Pooja! I'm glad you decided to write on this topic. Looking forward to reading your posts. Happy A to Z :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Shalini, looking forward to some awesome co-learning
DeleteA very important topic, Pooja. Coming from someone who has been throught it and come through it, it is sure to be more insightful.
ReplyDeleteMayuri
Thanks Mayuri, yes shared information becomes knowledge. Thanks!
DeleteThis truly is an important topic. My youngest brother, who died 2 years ago, had spent most of his adult life of 40 years in institutional surroundings. It was tough for all of the family to deal with.
ReplyDeleteHope your blog posts have a far reach.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
So sorry for your loss Arlee, believe me in this part of the world it is even tougher. Your constant support and guidance has always meant much as a mentor at A to Z. Thanks a lot!
DeleteThis is really a topic we all can do with reading and talking more about, Pooja. I am looking forward to your posts. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachna! Yes lets hope so.
DeleteWhat a lovely theme Pooja. The world needs to talk about this every day. Of of the most misunderstood topics for a layman to understand the depth of it.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, I do not know how much it will be possible to explore the depth of the topic bit we can certainly begin conversations around it.
DeleteSo glad you have chosen this important theme, Pooja. I look forward to visiting during the Challenge. All the best!
ReplyDeleteJosna
Thanks Josna, yes it is topic close to my heart.
DeleteA very important theme! Let's fight the stigma! Looking forward to this.
ReplyDeleteThe Multicolored Diary
Yes we must fight the stigma ! thanks!
DeleteThis is such an important topic that needs a LOT of awareness. I am looking forward to read your posts. All the best, Pooja!
ReplyDeleteThanks Shilpa
DeleteThat is a very important theme, kudos to you for tackling a topic that needs discussion! All the very best.
ReplyDeleteThan you so much Nilanjana
DeleteThis is an extremely relevant topic in the prevailing times. Would love to keep a track of your posts.
ReplyDeleteThanks The Novice Soul, would love to receive feedback
DeleteI'm so glad that you chose to write about this Pooja. Knowing you, I am sure that you are going to enlighten the world about a topic that really needs to be discussed. Looking forward to your posts this April.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sonia for having so much faith in me, hoping to hear from you frequently here.
DeleteThis is a wonderful theme. Really the need of the hour.
ReplyDeleteNoor Anand Chawla
Thanks Noor
DeleteA powerful theme to explore during April - looking forward to your posts.
ReplyDeleteThanks Deborah
DeleteA topic we all need to discuss frankly! The stigma attached to mental illness needs to be wiped out completely, else there will be so many lives getting ruined.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading your posts, Pooja!
Yes Shilpa, we need more voice here
DeleteYES!!! I WILL be following your posts in April for sure. I am an AFSP committee for Suicide Prevention and Mental Health awareness. I am so interested in what you have to share. Much love.
ReplyDeleteEntertaing Interests
This is such an important topic. I chose it for A to Z in 2016 too. I didn’t know there’sthis much stigma in India though, so thanks for raising more awareness.
ReplyDeleteThird time attempting to comment. Since I am a fellow mental health survivor and covered this topic on A to Z in 2016, I would like to encourage you on it. It’s such an important topic.
ReplyDeleteGreat theme. My theme is also on the same but only for children. Lokking forward to reading your posts.
ReplyDeleteThat's great Shubhr....let us co-learning.thanks!
DeleteI would love to read more on this subject. Looking forward to reading your posts on Mental Health Awareness, Pooja. Wish you the best with A2Z challenge this year
ReplyDeleteThanks Sundari
ReplyDeleteThis is such an important topic which needs to be spread to the masses, I will be following up your posts. All the best for April!
ReplyDeleteThanks Neha
ReplyDeleteFantastic Theme. We need to talk about this more. Looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Printed portal
DeleteMy debut in this Challenge was only last year, though I have been blogging and writing otherwise for a long long time. I have decided on my theme finally.
ReplyDeleteYours is a very relevant one especially nowadays. Looking forward to reading your posts.
Thanks Pradeep Nair
ReplyDelete