So, for the first time, I am putting myself out there to a varied audience outside my blogging zone. Seeing convergence of ideas on mental health issues to an audience that has never dealt with such issues before made me express these thoughts and ideas. This is an ongoing effort. Given the stigma attached to people with mental illnesses in India, any issues with the mind are either repulsed, laughed at, ridiculed or put down. What we forget is that it is curable! Get it treated by a doctor.

At one point I had written 4 articles about mental health on my blog. A disclaimer. I am not a doctor or psychotherapist. I am just a patient who had the will power and patience to go through 20 years of scizophrenia, most severely during the pandemic and experienced frequent changes in medications for at least 5-7 years until the right combination was discovered. What got me through? The will to get well and work. I lived with my convictions tightly. As they say, have “faith.” I have seen it all. And now I am raring to go. I bounced back even harder, stronger, more agile and I work like a machine.

I will continue to write. Hopefully I can contribute to writing a brochure for first time patients. Frankly, I think India is scizophrenic! Meanwhile, I will keep writing on my blog. I am open to any psychiatrist willing to create a website for this purpose! And guest articles from senior doctors and counselors and other people who have been through it all. I welcome their critique and contribution.