D S Sodhi
sodhidalbir7777@gmail.com
We often talk about the many social evils that affect our daily lives. One of the most destructive among them is the way society perceives individuals who experience mental health issues.
The most commonly known terms related to mental health are stress, anxiety, and depression. Although these conditions are distinct, they often overlap, causing significant distress and disrupting daily life. Stress arises as a response to challenges, anxiety involves persistent fear or worry, and depression is typically characterised by prolonged sadness and a loss of interest in life. Several factors increase the risk of depression, including poverty, unemployment, major life events such as the loss of a loved one or a relationship breakdown, physical illness, and substance abuse involving alcohol or drugs. The relationship between stress and mental illness is complex. However, it is well established that stress can worsen underlying mental health conditions. Mental health represents a state of well-being that allows individuals to cope with life’s challenges, realise their abilities, work productively, and contribute to their communities. It holds both int insic and instrumental value and stands as a basic human right. Globally, more than a billion people live with some form of mental health condition.
At some point in life, almost everyone experiences mental health challenges. What truly matters is how society treats individuals going through such difficult phases. The stigma associated with mental disorders affects access to employment, education, and even marriage. It also impacts the families of those affected. This stigma creates a significant barrier to seeking treatment and contributes to the growing burden of mental illness. Today, mental health has gained recognition as a critical issue, drawing the attention of policymakers, professionals, and communities worldwide. Mental health disorders continue to rise, likely due to factors such as industrialisation, rapid urbanisation, globalisation, changing lifestyles, and biological vulnerabilities.
Much has been written about mental health, but I would like to share my personal experience with acute depression. As a young and courageous submariner, I never hesitated when I heard the command, “Shut upper lid, dive, dive, dive.” I faced challenges head-on, spending days deep underwater. Life moved smoothly until tragedy struck. The loss of three young family members due to accidental or unnatural causes completely changed the course of my life. Gradually, my behaviour began to change. I experienced aggression, hyperactivity, fear of failure, and even fear of death. Despite recognising these changes, I felt helpless. My daily life started to suffer. My first mistake was not sharing my feelings with my immediate family.
Changes in my lifestyle after my superannuation added to my struggles. I initially tried to convince myself that I was dealing only with stress or anxiety, but the situation went far beyond that. My family noticed the changes and, with concern, encouraged me to consult a doctor. I found the idea difficult to accept due to the stigma associated with mental health. However, my family’s support gave me the courage to seek help. Medical treatment, combined with regular counselling, gradually led to improvement. Support from friends and well-wishers also played a crucial role. This challenging phase lasted five years, but my family never allowed me to lose hope. Throughout this journey, I constantly reminded myself of my identity as a submariner and the strength I had developed through my training. I kept telling myself, “All shall be well; this too shall pass.” My training at the Naval Academy helped me stay resilient.
Faith in the Almighty and the power of prayer(Divine Intervention) also played a significant role in my recovery. When I look back, I realise how deeply I had withdrawn—avoiding phone calls, social interactions, and even close friends. It feels like a distant nightmare now. A positive mindset, consistent effort, unwavering family pport, and faith transformed this difficult phase into a remarkable recovery. One of the turning points came when my daughter encouraged me to sing again— something I used to enjoy during my service. That moment helped me reconnect with myself, and from there, I never looked back. Today, I actively participate in the activities I love. It took me five years to fully recover, but I never lost hope. I share this experience with the hope that even one person facing a similar struggle finds the strength to seek help and move forward. If someone experiences persistent stress, anxiety, or depression, they must seek medical help without delay. Social stigma should never stand in the way of treatment. Medication, counselling, self motivation, and a positive outlook form the foundation of recovery. Practices such as meditation, physical activity, and prayer can further support the healing process.
This is an opinion article, whilst I am no expert on this, I felt that talking about it would contribute to a larger societal healing were people have the space to talk and be heard and know that they are not Alone. Wishing all readers happiness and peace.
The writer a Commodore, is former Deputy Assistant Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (IT)
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